-wwi mwmi 



. . 






■ ■■C'r :■■':■'■ :r 'V::-\.;) v ;-: 




Class 

Book_ h__ 

Gopigtai:?. — 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIEs 



AWFUL THOUGHTS 



OR 



TAMING MAN 

ROBERT MORRIS 

A Phenomenon 

That is interesting two 

WORLDS 




Boston 

THE ROXBURGH PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Inc. 



13^° 



.VI 



13 



Copyrighted 1917 

% Robert 0. Morris 

Rights Reserved 



JAN 24 1917 



©CU455333 



AWFUL THOUGHTS 

OR 

TAMING MAN 



ARRANGEMENT OF CONTENTS 
By Ray Morris 



Page 

Preface ...... 7 

Manuscript Called in . « . 11 

The Red Hot Hell of War ... 12 

Hell Bent on a Foundation ... 26 

Dauphin Island and the Mad Gulf (Poem) 31 

A Storm at Sea . . (Poem) 33 

The Roar of the Gulf . (Peom) 35 

The Forest King . . (Poem) 37 

Your Thinker Say . (Poem) 39 

Japan's National Defense Association . 41 

The Ass That Talked . (Poem) 44 

The Searchlight Turned On . . . 45 

The Melting Pot Staff ... 53 
My Early Experiences * . .55 

What is the Banner of Christ? Is It This? 58 

The Theory of the Early Christians . . 63 

Comment and Reason . . . 65 

More About Ghosts .... 68 

But I Have Discovered a Beautiful Truth . 69 

What I Saw and Heard ... 70 

Letter from Brother Matison . . 72 

Messages from Heaven ... 76 

St. John's Dreams in Revelations . . 78 

Race Degeneracy .... 83 

The Flying Devil . . (Poem) 87 

Chimpanzee and Man . (Poem) 95 

Our Venture on the Sea . (Poem) 96 

A Vision of Light . . (Poem) 99 

Comment on the Sunday School Lesson . 102 



ARRANGEMENT OF CONTENTS 

(Continued) 



The Unnecessary Sacrifice 

The Lost Sailor 

Do You Know Me? . 

What I know About Mrs. Elizabeth Blake 

Sayings of Mrs. Blake 

War Economics . 

Proposition .... 

The Good Old Man (My Father) (Poem) 

Voices from Heaven . . (Poem) 

Some Mysteries in Nature . (Poem) 

My Good Old Devil . . (Poem) 

My Old Corn-cob Pipe . (Poem) 

Prosperity's Engine . . (Poem) 

Noah's Ark as Seen in the Light of Reason 

The Old Hill Farm . . (Poem) 

The Abused Son of Joseph . (Poem) 

The Voice of the Dead 

Morris's Encyclopedia 

Evil Spirits 

Extracts from Conversation . 

The Remedy 

Aristotle Messages (James Morris) 

The Announcement 



Page 
110 
118 
123 
125 
126 
128 
130 
132 
134 
137 
139 
140 
143 
147 
159 
162 
163 
170 
174 
176 
178 
179 
201 



PREFACE 



Awful, because they are facts — because they con- 
tradict what the majority believe to be significant 
truths. 

In the earlier centuries of the Christian era, 
known as the dark ages, it was extremely dangerous 
to deal in facts; propagandists of facts back in those 
ages were humiliated, persecuted, and thousands 
who persisted in denouncing established falsehoods 
sealed their loyalty to truth with their life's blood 
in dismal torture chambers and on the rack. 

In this, the Twentieth Century, it is still dangerous 
to combat vested ignorance with facts, but we have 
progressed to such an extent that there is no longer 
a great degree of physical danger, and with the elim- 
ination of the stake, the rack and the torture from 
the repertory of the powers of darkness there is an 
ever increasing number who refuse to bow the knee 
to falsehood or refrain from battering at its founda- 
tion with the sledge-hammer blows of truth; still 
it is dangerous, for the free mind is crucified but not 
as ruthlessly, as mercilessly, as was the physical 
body, when ignorance held practically an absolute 
sway over the entire human race. Doubly danger- 
ous for me, because these writings seek to disprove 
universally accepted beliefs and doctrines without 
serious consideration. 

Great masses of people prefer not to be disturbed 
in mind, and rather than learn late in life that their 



8 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

beliefs are not facts, turn a deaf ear to instruction, 
choosing to go to the end of the journey and take 
chances on being right. 

Because we believe something to be true, or not 
to be true, does not, in reality, prove or disprove 
anything. 

Many are satisfied with their belief and never 
expect to change their mind — simply saying, what 
was good enough for my father is good enough for 
me — an acknowledgment that their minds are 
absolutely closed against all truth and a proof that 
such minds, selfish and bigoted, are limited to small 
things and can never grasp the great problems of the 
universe. Woe! it is with the man who cannot be- 
lieve anything out of the ordinary — who stops his 
ears and closes his eyes against everything that de- 
mands the exercise of reason and intelligence. 

In this book will be found food for thought on 
many significant subjects, that will appeal to men 
in all walks of life — thoughts that will touch your 
heart and find their way to your soul — and handled 
with such courage that the writer may appear reck- 
less and cruel. Cruel, because he plunges the sword 
of truth into the heart of what he knows to be dark- 
ness and falsehood, and undertakes, with the appar- 
ent fierceness of a tiger, to tear away the masks of 
ignorance and prejudice that have so long blinded 
the race. 

We hate the hell of war, and whatever tends to 
make it possible, nay, inevitable, and we believe 
that the misdirected governments and the false 
basis on which all governments and religions rest, 
is responsible, not only for the one evil of war, but 
for the poverty, crime and sins that afflict society. 



TAMING MAN 9 

We also believe that relentless," total exposure 
alone will banish the clouds of ignorance and en- 
throne TRUTH which is the only antidote for the 
poisons of ignorance — the only hope for making 
the earth a fit habitation for the race of man. 

If there ever was an individual possessed of the 
knowledge and power to successfully rule the lives 
of men for their best interest, he has never exercised 
that power. If there are people who believe this 
has been done, or can be done through the agencies 
and methods now imposed upon the people through 
their ignorance, their influence are dangerous and 
they should no longer be trusted with shaping the 
thoughts of the race. If there is or has ever been 
an individual who could tame the savage in man, and 
train them through human agencies to be kind and 
brotherly one toward the other we have no record 
of his existence. If there is a man who has the in- 
telligence to place the political world on a basis of 
equity, let us find that man — he is worth the com- 
mercial value of the world. 

If there be a man who has the power to silence 
the roar of the world's cannon, dismantle her navies, 
and snatch from the hell of savageness now envelop- 
ing society, humanity, and bind it into one solid 
brotherhood — let us find him, compel him to come 
out from hiding and take unto himself that great 
responsibility, at any cost. 

If there is such a personality, sleeping amid this 
uproar of horrible confusion, while the cannons have 
belched their hail of destruction and death, the 
rivers run red and the fields soaked up the blood of 
millions, he is a sleepy drone and should be drummed 
out of his hive and held responsible for crimes that 



10 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

are blackened with the smoke of hell and crimsoned 
with the blood of his people. If the Christians know 
of a personality that could do this and other things 
more wonderful, let them produce him in all of his 
omnipotence, or acknowledge that for nineteen hun- 
dred years they have propagated the blackest of 
falsehoods. 

We prefer to believe that back of the millions of 
flashing meteors, whirling universe and solar sys- 
tems, suns, planets and inhabited worlds far be- 
yond the power of man's puny imagination to grasp, 
is a power the character of which it is impossible to 
blacken; a grand and glorious something that can- 
not be belittled, that could not harbor jealousy, 
conceive of punishment, or mete out torture. If 
that something, that Creator, exists, it sympathizes 
with man in his natural weakness, could not stoop 
to threats when its creatures naturally err, but which 
would gladly take the entire responsibility for hu- 
manity's actions upon itself, and teach by natural 
example and through the natural channels of evo- 
lution, the lessons that will enable mankind to be- 
come great and good — the master of earth, hell 
and heaven. 



Manuscript Called IN, And The Author, 

Tho Inexperienced Forced And Instructed To 

Do All The Condensing And Criticising 

Him Self. 

We are glad to be here this A. M. and now we 
have some things to tell you and we will write as 
fast as we can, and save all the time that we can. 

We want to tell you that the manuscripts are 
nearly all O. K., but there are some corrections to 

be made in the work — Mr. done as he 

thought best, but the theme of thought to be con- 
veyed has been lost, and this is the reason we 
thought best to do all the work under our instruc- 
tions — as here we can have the congenial conditions 
to make the right impressions. 

As this work is unlike any other, it is very im- 
portant to have it about right. Those who are not 
familiar with the phenomenon are not capable to 
criticize the work. 

Have it read and convey the line of thought that 
you intended it to, even though it should not con- 
form to all the rules of typography and the language 
not exactly correct — we find that you will have to 
do the work yourself under our instructions. 

RAY. 



THE RED HOT HELL OF WAR. 

Back in the days of our forefathers, when man 
went out to hunt man — or other game — he took 
with him an old flint-lock rifle. He carried across 
his shoulder, straps from which swung a shot pouch 
made of the skin of some wild animal, and a powder 
receptacle made from a cow's horn, some ' cotton 
fabric for patching, or cushioning the leaden bullet, 
which he poked down the barrel of his rifle with a 
hickory ram-rod. When the trigger was pulled and 
the flint snapped down, if the powder in the pan was 
not wet, if the mechanism was in perfect condition, 
if the flint struck a perfect spark, and the man 
behind the gun had aimed straight, sometimes he 
got his game. 

Following the introduction of the flint-lock rifle, 
some thinker invented the nipple and percussion cap 
rifle, which was quite an improvement over the 
powder pan and the flint; then another thinker in- 
vented a cartridge large enough to contain cap, 
powder and ball, and instead of ramming it down 
from the muzzle of the barrel, made a lock that per- 
mitted its insertion at the breach. This last inven- 
tion made obsolete both the flint-lock and the per- 
cussion rifle, and everybody wanted one of the 
modern guns — except the fellow who said that the 
muzzle-loading flint-lock was good. enough for his 
father and what was good enough for his father was 
good enough for him, and claimed that ideas of the 
thinker were infringements on the good old hickory 



TAMING MAN 13 

ram-rod guns. But the thinker kept right on think- 
ing and building his progressive thoughts into im- 
provements; he conceived the idea of placing under 
the rifle barrel a long steel tube which held a dozen or 
more cartridges, and contrived an automatic slide 
the action of which would cause the empty shell 
to fly from the gun barrel and a loaded one to take 
its place. With this gun the difficulties of shooting 
were almost totally eliminated and much greater 
speed and accuracy attained. 

From the flint-lock to the modern repeating rifle 
is a long step in progress. Yet both, in comparison, 
have their advantages and disadvantages. One of 
the disadvantages of the flint-lock was the chance 
of losing the game — if the gun failed to fire on the 
first trial by the time the hunter was ready to try 
again the game had usually taken advantage of the 
delay to gain safety. But this disadvantage also 
gave the man behind the gun time to cool down, and 
sometimes he would change his mind about shoot- 
ing — especially if the game happened to be a fellow- 
man. Since man is the only animal that does any 
shooting, and since man is coming more and more 
to be the game, I will take man as an illustration on 
the advantages and disadvantages of guns, ancient 
and modern. 

The old flint-lock was but a small degree better 
than the club when it came to a combat between 
man and man. A large, strong man, with a hickory 
club, tough and seasoned to withstand rough usage, 
could attack a band of men armed with flint-locks 
and stand quite a show of beating out their brains 
before the guns could be gotten into action. The 
man with the flint-lock was at another disadvantage 



14 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

— suppose the man he wanted to kill didn't want 
to be shot; we will suppose that he rather enjoyed 
this thing called life; we will say, just to illustrate, 
that he had a healthy appetite, and enjoyed well 
cooked meats, hot biscuits and butter, good coffee 
and ripe fruits; that he had acquired the habit of 
smoking; that he enjoyed the association of his wife 
and children — or, if he was unmarried, loved some 
pretty, rosy-cheeked maiden ; if a man with a family 
he had acquired the habit of sitting at ease after his 
day's toil was o'er — watching the smoke curl 
around his head while he took one or more of the 
ittle tots on his knees, and talked with the loving 
wife. I have met these life-loving characters, and 
can tell by the expression of their faces when they 
speak of their wife and children — by the manner 
in which they stroke their hair with calloused, 
toil-stained hands, that they get something out of 
life. A man of this kind would naturally resent an 
attempt to rob him of life on the part of the man 
with the flint-lock and by flight or fight reduce the 
chances of the hunter's success. 

One of the advantages of the flint-lock's failure 
to fire was that it often spared the lives of affection- 
ate husbands, fond fathers, and faithful lovers. Old 
man, with hard, stiff beard and the wrinkled visage, 
were you ever in love ? Old mother, with the silver- 
ing hair and dimming eye, did you ever love that 
man? If so, you know something of the passions of 
youth — the love light in sparkling eyes and the 
thrilling ecstacy of awakening maturity. I speak 
from experience, having loved and been loved by some 
of the fair sex from my birth to this day. I was loved 
by mother when a child — it made no difference how 



TAMING MAN 15 

undeserving I became, her love continued and con- 
tinues steadfast still. Then came the sweet, pas- 
sionate and. exciting love of early manhood, for the 
fond young maiden just budding into womanhood. 

I am addressing myself to the vigorous, healthy 
young man who enjoys above all other things on 
earth the associations of that fair one who has just 
brought home to him the real meaning of life, who 
stimulates his ambition and elevates his soul to the 
highest ideals of existence — deep he breathes the 
perfume from the flowers of love and his entire being 
expands with the longing desire to fulfill his natural 
destiny. Yet this is the type of manhood that the 
hunters of men demand as prey — the character of 
the sacrifices laid upon the altars of the God of War. 

But few are willing to take a chance with the 
flint-lock now. When men go man-hunting now they 
go to kill or be killed. They go out to utterly de- 
stroy the hopes of the young wife and her little ones, 
to make her a widow and her children orphans; to 
snatch from aged parents the staff of declining years, 
and tear from the arms of the youthful trusting, maid 
he whom her soul loveth. 

Instead of boasted civilization taking some of the 
inhumanities out of war it has rather added horror 
and terror. Men armed with the most terrible agents 
of destruction inflict wholesale murder upon fellow- 
men whom they have never seen and by whom they 
have never been injured. The fruits and successes 
of civil life go down into a bloody and debasing 
oblivion before the onrushing march of mad mob 
murder and the insane shrieks of a society ripe to die. 

A weapon like the modern magazine rifle in the 
hands of a man whether he be trained or not is a 



16 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

deadly menace to the progress of the race toward 
brotherhood, and the one way to eliminate even the 
desire for such weapons is to instill into the human 
mind a realization of the beauty, the gladness, the 
glory and the value of life. 

We would not care to go back to the days of the 
old hickory ram-rod and the muzzle-loading rifle. 
Our motto is "Forward." We want the best, the 
most convenient, of everything that is useful and 
beneficial, but we could well afford to let languish 
progress in those things which are destructive, and 
turn all our energies to the perfecting of the things 
that conserve human life and lighten the natural 
burdens in the struggle toward ultimate perfection. 

If there were enough men in the world who think 
as I think, no man would dare advocate brute rule; 
no one would dare for any reason whatsoever the 
subjugation of another or the taking of a life. We 
would eliminate entirely all those things which tend 
to the production of crime and criminals; to accom- 
plish this all that is necessary is to establish what 
we term human government on a foundation of 
truth. When this is accomplished there will come 
the realization that the most precious of all earth's 
possessions is human life, and instead of being looked 
upon as it is now, as the cheapest commodity in 
which our Captains of Industry deal, energies that 
are now bent toward destruction will be reversed to 
conservation, and no one would even think of taking 
a chance in wood or field with a weapon that might, 
even unintentionally, destroy life a mile away. 

But don't misconstrue my meaning. No one 
knows better than I that self-preservation is the first 
law of nature, and that as long as more brutal men 



TAMING MAN 17 

arm themselves with powerful means of destruction 
with the intent of destroying other men, it would be 
insanity for the proposed victims to depend upon 
the antiquated flint-lock and hickory club for de- 
fense — they MUST, even though the thing is re- 
pulsive to them, prepare themselves in like manner 
with their adversary. This comparison shows the 
seriousness of the situation. 

It affords something really worth thinking about 
— worth trying to eliminate. All the nations of the 
earth should be bound together by social ties, by the 
bonds of brotherhood, and there is no longer reason 
why this should not be. The ingenuity of man's 
brain in annihilating space has brought the peoples 
of the earth virtually into the proximity of neigh- 
bors, and his mastery of the secrets of nature is 
rapidly opening her storage house to him and mak- 
ing the once savage struggle for existence a mere 
question of the proper distribution of Nature's boun- 
ties among her children. 

Although there are millions in the world who are 
thinking on this subject along the line as outlined 
above, still the nations are hell-bent on war and 
destruction and engaged in a mad contest to see 
which can outburn, outshoot, outkill the other. 

We are right in the midst of a world gone mad — 
races and nations are snapping, snarling, showing 
their teeth and flashing swords in each other's faces. 
None of these nations, as nations, have anything the 
other wants but that could be had in the far less de- 
structive method of fair exchange — the products 
of one for the products of the other. Then let us 
find out what and who are forcing these peoples into 
the hell of murder called war. Let us find out which 



18 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

class in each nation it is that is clamoring for more 
soldiers, bigger guns, faster Zeppelins and more 
deadly chemical bombs. Let us find out who are the 
comparatively few that are firing men's hearts and 
brain with the lust for blood, and are driving mil- 
lions to the reeking shambles. Somewhere the spirit 
of death and destruction feasts and grows strong, 
while the spirit of love despairs. 

The people of the world can kill the spirit of death 
and let themselves enjoy the beauties of life and love; 
kill it, not with the vulgar weapons of more vulgar 
brutes — the gun, the sword, the bomb — but with 
the spread of knowledge. Ever has the dark and 
gruesome spirit fled before the bright shafts of on- 
marching truth and intelligence. Kill the spirit of 
hate, death and destruction by educating the race in 
the fundamentals of facts. 

I do not mean by that, what is at present termed 
education — where youth is taught respect for gov- 
ernment founded on barbarity, and that falsehoods 
are truths because they have been taught as truths 
for so long. No, it is from the graduates of our pres- 
ent institutions of education that the leaders of the 
present false system are chosen. Education to me is 
something more than the use of good grammar, some- 
thing more than good spelling, something more than 
a smattering of interpolated history, something more 
than the acquired ability to conventionally endow 
falsehood with the outward trappings of truth and 
hide all that is noble and natural behind a mask of 
hypocrisy. It means to me a knowledge of nature's 
laws and nature's plans, and a thought out system 
as to how man may best adapt himself to these. 
It means a realization of rottenness, the falseness 



TAMING MAN 19 

and the hideousness of the present system — a real- 
ization of the utter corruptness of the foundation 
upon which is built the world's governments, re- 
ligions and laws. It means a grasp of the knowledge 
that is destined to make new history — an educa- 
tion that will be fitting to the members of all coming 
generations. It means that education that will 
forbid placing in the hands of any man or set of 
men the destinies of their fellows — that will tear 
down thrones and refuse longer to be swayed by error 
no matter how strongly entrenched behind might. 

To what a spectacle has the race of man come. 
Drilled into acceptance of the decree that it is eco- 
nomical, just, reasonable, humane and intelligent to 
settle differences by the ruthless destruction of life 
and property, that it is commendable to breed and 
train men to murder with sword and gun. Under 
the sway of this insanity it is fast becoming neces- 
sary for men, women and even little children to 
wear steel skullcaps to protect them from the 
deadly- darts of monsters who hover over them in 
the air seeking an opportunity to deal out death and 
misery. Is this the best that our boasted civiliza- 
tion and progress has brought us? Is this the fruit 
of the tree of knowledge — or the dregs and bitter- 
ness of ignorance that is choking up the avenues of 
life. 

Let us all unite in placing the world upon a differ- 
ent foundation — the foundation of FACTS. Let 
us tame man. Let us show the value of human life, 
and that the life of the obscure soldier lad is as valu- 
able to the race as is the life of its most powerful 
money king. That the taking of life in mass is just 
as reprehensible as is the individual murder, and 



20 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

that there is no more glory in dying in the mud, and 
blood, and filth of the battlefield than there is in 
dying amid the crash of our many industrial catas- 
trophes. Let us help the nations of earth forget 
the horrible, bloody past and aid in establishing 
them on a new foundation of truth and reason where 
they may come together in the spirit of gentleness 
instead of with powder, lead, bombs and blood. 

We don't want our land converted into a hell that 
will burn day and night with the lurid, torches of 
war, held in the hands of men spurred on by the 
orders of power-drunk kings, nor do we want our 
people to be in constant danger from the bullet, the 
dart and bomb from above, and the clouds of poison- 
ous gases which sweep all life before them; nor 
do we want to see our beautiful public edifices and 
our homes given over as sacrifices to the god of 
flames and war. Life is too precious for these things. 
There is so much to do that is more worthy. Raise 
the standard of the nations by teaching that life is 
too precious to be heedlessly and needlessly ground 
out on battlefields of revenge and greed, and that 
there are better ways of settling differences than by 
wholesale destruction that never settled anything. 
Let us say that we are done with the ignorance 
that lurks in the desire to kill, that we are here for 
a higher purpose than the killing of men. Let us do 
what we can to elevate the minds of our fellowmen 
to the plane of independence where they will say, 
"I refuse to be flattered or dragged into hell's night- 
mare by the blind ignorance of any set of men; I will 
ignore the propaganda of murder and hate, fostered 
by the 'patriotic' manufacturers of munitions of 
war. Only savages shoot and slaughter men and I 



TAMING MAN 21 

am no longer a savage." Then we shall quit killing 
and there will be no more war. 

I saw an ugly vision which I intend to use as an 
illustration in closing this chapter, and I trust that 
you will see the moral of the story: 

I saw three young men enter a stockade wherein 
were confined a large number of hogs ; one of the men 
had in his hand a dangerous looking knife that re- 
sembled a sword. They began to slaughter the 
beasts, two of the men holding the hog while the one 
with the knife cut its throat. In quick succession, 
one after the other, the throats of the animals were 
cut and when the work was finished the shambles 
were a horrible and disgusting sight. Only part of 
the hogs were dead, but all were squealing and moan- 
ing and dropping down only to struggle to their feet, 
stagger for a few steps and again fall. The butchers 
began piling the slaughtered carcasses together in a 
heap, and when they had finished some of the hogs 
were still squealing, groaning and struggling in their 
desperate but losing fight with death, blood spurt- 
ing from their wounds and flesh trembling with the 
final death agonies. The entire spectacle was nause- 
ous, hideous and repulsive. It was a pulsing, vi- 
brating example of how much man needs taming. 

I said to the young butchers, "Boys, that is a 
filthy job; can't you find a line of work that is more 
humane ? Do you realize that this has a tendency to 
harden your hearts and coarsen your nature? If 
you are compelled to slaughter why not do it as 
humanely as possible? You could have struck 
those animals in the head with a heavy hammer 
before using the knife and the result would at least 
have been more merciful." One of the men made 



22 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

answer in rather a passionate tone: "Do you think 
we enjoy this? We have not been at it long enough 
to become hardened to it; we hate this as much as 
you or anyone else can hate it, but what is a fellow 
without education or wealth going to do? Judging 
from your appearance you are of the bosses' crowd 
and are in position to avoid the dirty work of the 
world, but such is not so with us. These are not our 
hogs and this is the manner in which the owner, our 
boss, ordered them slaughtered. Give me a better 
job and I will be grateful to you, as will my fellows 
here." 

While I was pondering upon the words of the 
young man, I noticed partly hidden in a far corner 
of the stockade a healthy young shoat that had es- 
caped the fate of his companions. His owner, the 
boss of the men who did the slaughtering, would no 
doubt have considered this hog's action as a most un- 
patriotic, cowardly and unhoglike thing to do, but 
sick from the recent spectacle of death and blood 
I felt a deep pity for the pig, and admiration for 
his wise effort to escape, and made up my mind that 
if possible I would assist him. I made my way to 
the vicinity of his hiding place and unobserved by 
the butchers opened a way through the stockade and 
permitted him to slip through to liberty and safety. 
The young animal was full of the spirit of life, it 
ran, it played, it showed its gratitude by racing 
round and round me, uttering soft sounds, and 
looked at me as if soliciting my further protection. 
I took it with me and turned it into the woods, 
where I hope it will live its alloted span, fulfilling 
all the destinies for which Nature intended it. 

Now, I don't know whether or not my reader has 



TAMING MAN 23 

gotten the moral of this tale or not, but I am cer- 
tain of one thing — you didn't enjoy the story — it 
was a dirty, bloody narrative. But these scenes, and 
worse, are being enacted every day, with men sub- 
stituted for the hogs — and men are becoming hard- 
ened and indifferent. With the women it is slightly 
different, and I probably owe them an apology, 
but if it has served the purpose that I intended for 
it, I am satisfied. 

I would prefer, rather to escort you, in my word 
pictures, over the green mountains, across the 
smooth plains, and through the verdant valleys, 
where you could pluck wild flowers and hear the 
musical notes of nesting birds and watch the little 
wild animals at their natural play; through shady 
nooks where you can stand on the mossy banks and 
listen to the ripple of the crystal brook as it sings a 
melodious greeting to Mother Nature; where you, 
fanned by the gentle breezes, can see the sea gulls 
dip their wings in the billowy brine, and the heaving 
swells break into beautiful white caps ; watch bright- 
eyed boys and girls dive and splash in the silvery 
waters, and the sail boats in which are seated hus- 
band, wife, and family, and the youthful and joy- 
ous sweethearts, shove out from the shore on pleas- 
ure bent. I would that you could spend the days 
where Nature's dewdrops are diamonds and sweet 
blossoms fill the air with their unadulterated per- 
fumes. 

I would prefer that you always hear the music of 
glad laughter — that you were always far away from 
danger and unpleasant scenes, and it is my earnest 
hope that such a state of existence will yet be real- 
ized — that enough of our people will awake to the 



24 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

dangers into which we are drifting in time to pre- 
vent our own native land being plunged into a hell 
of slaughter of our young men — for war always re- 
quires as a sacrifice the best of our sons, and is satis- 
fied with nothing less. It is the vigorous, red-blooded 
youth — your sons, husbands, lovers, brothers, 
oh, mothers of the race, who are the sacrifices 
offered up on the altars of the brutal god of war. 
Will you allow the sickening, fly-blown, bloody rags 
of the war devil to be flung in your faces and strewn 
oyer the homes of the land of your birth — while 
the hope of your lives, the pride of the nation, its 
youngest and best manhood, is cremated in the fires 
of lust and hate? 

It was cruel, brutal and hideous to slaughter swine 
in the manner I described, but the methods used in 
the slaughter of the animals are no more cruel or 
brutal, nay, not as much so, as are the methods being 
used this very day in the slaughter of innocent and 
helpless men and boys in most of the boasted civil- 
ized (?) nations of the world. The animal is killed 
outright and never left crippled and maimed to mis- 
erably creep its way through life. A pension will 
not restore the lost limb, the blasted sight of the 
disfigured countenance. A paltry pension will not 
give back to the young widow the cheery and light- 
hearted companion, nor to the prattling orphan a 
loving father, nor return to the aged mother the 
strong arm of an affectionate son. The wounded 
and disfigured soldier may be pitied, but he is not 
the object of admiration as is the healthy, strong 
and perfect specimen of manhood amply able to take 
his rightful place and perform his duty in the society 
of his race. A man of strength. Strong physically 



TAMING MAN 25 

and mentally. And a strength of character that is 
beautiful to behold. 

My idea of a a strong character is one who will 
boldly deny the right of Czars, emperors or kings to 
order his and his fellows' lives as their own lusts 
and desires may dictate; who will not permit jingo- 
ists to addle his intellect by the monotonous waving 
of battle flags and the shrill cries for blood, and to 
flatter him into a nightmare of misery under any 
pretext. Such a man is willing to aid in the en- 
lightenment and education, real education of the 
human race; such a man is not found in the human 
slaughter pens. 

This is what you will demand if you are a man of 
strong character. You will demand the right to stay 
healthy and whole and to enjoy your life — to de- 
velop in mind and body. You will consider it more 
patriotic to create than to destroy, and will demand 
that all people be free, independent, that they be 
guaranteed an opportunity to earn a living in peace- 
ful pursuits, and that the degradation of wage- 
slavery be stamped out. You will insist that it is 
high time to abandon a system that is responsible 
for poverty and crime, and to relegate to eternal 
silences the institutions propagating falsehood and 
ignorance. You will say that it is just as sensible, 
reasonable and just for two individuals to settle 
their differences by individual murder, as it is for 
two nations to attempt to settle their disputes by 
wholesale murder. You will declare aloud that you 
would far rather see your race trained in the peace- 
ful pursuits of happiness than see them crowned as 
the blood-guilty conquerors of the entire world. 

Let us face bravely the truth, and avoid the rot 



26 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

and hell of war. Let us cry aloud the truth that war 
is the insane result of ignorance gone mad. The 
time is here for the taming of man, and the righting 
of his method of education — the banishment of 
ignorance and its train of miseries and sorrows, and 
a steady climb up the path of enlightment to true 
civilization. 



HELL BENT ON A FOUNDATION. 

The reader will soon discover that I am bent on 
discovering the foundation for everything. When 
we have trouble with our neighbor, or our neighbor 
has trouble with us, we always find some plausible 
excuse and show that the other is solely at fault. 
Some times he has something that I would like to 
have, and sometimes it may be that I have some- 
thing that he desires, or lays claim to — it may be 
land, a horse, cow, or property of like nature. What- 
ever it is, it all too frequently leads us into disputes 
and we foolishly take our troubles into court, in- 
stead of endeavoring to settle them amicably. So 
the first thing our respective lawyers do when the dif- 
ferences have progressed to this stage, is to build a 
foundation for our case — based upon the supposed 
facts. 

In Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, where man 
is at war with man, war is considered a highly hon- 
orable and legitimate business. If a country is en- 
vious in any matter of some other country and wishes 



TAMING MAN 27 

to go to war, all that is necessary for it to do is to 
make an excuse of some kind — declare war and 
fight. If this country is forced to fight we simply 
oil our guns, buckle knapsacks on the backs of our 
young men, and the slaughter begins. And if it 
proves that we have more and better fighting 
equipment — more submarines and torpedo boats, 
better battle cruisers and bigger guns, a better 
system of hurling more poisonous gas bombs, more 
and better trained soldiers, or professional killers, 
so that when one army of these are mowed down we 
have another ready to take their places, and when 
this second army is strewn in fragments over 
blood-drenched sod we still have other substitutes — 
then the weaker nation can be overpowered, its 
commerce destroyed and its people reduced to 
poverty, when its guns have been captured and its 
active males butchered by shrapnel, gouged with 
bayonets, their eyes burned out by poisons — the 
exhausted, miserable, suffering, starved people 
hoist the white flag, and we have proven that we 
are right by the power of our might. But does our 
might prove that we are right? Answer, yes or no. 
If you believe this is right our government will 
supply you with a butcher knife, a rifle, a revolver 
and a brown duck suit — then you can roll up your 
sleeves, climb into the slaughter pen and begin. 
After you have witnessed the horrors, the in- 
humanity, the wickedness, the foolishness, the 
destructiveness, the indecency of this crime called 
war — after you have killed men, tortured others 
with poisons, dismembered their bodies and dis- 
figured their countenances; cut jugular veins, 
severed heart-strings, mixed brains with the sand 



28 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

and mud of the fields, and your suit is matted and 
stiff with the blood of fellow-beings, after you have 
itemized the cost in blood, tears and treasure — sit 
down and in this blank space write your honest 
opinion of those who resort to such barbarity; give 
your impressions of a so-called civilization that 
countenances such crimes. Then state frankly 
where you first gained the beliefs that this thing was 
honorable, patriotic, heroic and virtuous; I would 
like to know. There are a few million others 
who are also beginning to think and who- want to 
know more about the foundation upon which such 
savage patriotism is resting. Write your answer — 
tell where and how you got your convictions. 

What moral right have you to instill in the youths 
of the Twentieth Century, by example or otherwise, 
beliefs and customs that are so deadly, dangerous, 
debasing, pernicious and tending toward total 
depravity and degeneracy? Tame man! Help 
him rise from his knees and gain a glimpse of the 
brighter and better future which is just now upon 
the horizon. 

Let us assist the people from their knees, and see 
to it that the bloody record of the past is not re- 
peated and that the war spirit never again takes 
hold of the people of this nation. If there are any 
people more deserving of sympathy than others it 
is- those misguided individuals who fall upon their 
knees and cry to the WAR GOD of the ancients — 
a being that is as fictitious and as childish as is the 
Santa Claus of today. 

I do not seriously object to my children being 
deceived for the first few years of their life with the 
Santa Claus myth, for they may get some pleasure 



TAMING MAN 29 

and enjoyment out of the idea, but I would not want 
them taught that there is any virtue or FACT in 
the Santa Claus story — neither would I want 
them to worship Santa Claus by a promise of a 
home here, a crown in heaven, or from fear of 
punishment hereafter. 

If I can prevent it they will never be taught to 
fear any god that stands accused of demanding the 
slaughter of innocent women and children, the 
ravishment of fair daughters by blood-thirsty 
warriors and the heartless, brutal massacre of en- 
tire races simply to satisfy ugly moods and passion. 

If the Catholics had the power to enforce their 
beliefs upon the people we would all be compelled 
to bow to the pope ; if the Protestant Methodist had 
free and unlimited power we would all be compelled 
to embrace the Methodist faith, and bow the knee 
to a God who, in the estimation of free thinkers and 
investigators, is nothing more than an imaginary 
warrior god — a fetish of the early half -savage Jews. 
If the Baptists had the power they would close the 
pearly gates against all people who had not been 
baptized in cold water — heels and head, and all 
other denominations would have the people believe 
as they do or go to hell. 

For me, I don't propose to adopt any of these 
ready-made beliefs. It appears that there are any 
number of reasons why parents should do some 
independent thinking and exercise their authority 
in breaking the bands of religious slavery. Give 
the boys a fair show and they will become teachers 
of truth and the world will be healed of its ignorance, 
man will rise from his knees, become really civilized, 
and the race will know war no more. 



30 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

In agitating the maxim "Get Off Your Knees," 
I have been accused of ridiculing the example set 
by the Nation's Chief in his prayers for peace. I 
have no way of knowing just how much of his time 
the President spends on his knees begging for 
succor from some unseen power in the face of this 
horrible phantom of war, and for the restoration of 
peace to a war-mad world, but I do know that his 
prayers have not been answered, and now, seemingly 
he begins to recognize that prayer is a poor sub- 
stitute for munitions and is urging his "country- 
men to prepare to enter the savage struggle equipped 
in a manner that will result in the most destruction 
to any possible enemy. 

I am sufficiently conceited as to believe that I am 
capable of understanding the Nation's Chief and 
appreciating his delicate position. I admire his 
shrewdness, and to some extent his tactics. Sup- 
pose that in his stead we had chosen a war-mad 
patriot who would insist in calling out the army 
and navy every time some foolhardy American, 
who is not patriotic enough to stay out of the war 
zone, gets into trouble? I doubt if our Chief has 
much time for prayer. If he would lock himself in 
his closet and waste time as do the clergy in empty 
prayers, the library of his mind would grow clogged 
with the weeds of despondency, and the lobby of 
the White House would be filled with loungers 
resembling the sanctimonious gentlemen of the 
type of Joshuas, Jonahs and ark builders, who were 
content to furnish prayers if some god would do 
the things that they considered desirable. 



DAUPHIN ISLAND AND THE MAD GULF. 

When in the adjustment of this sea, 
By nature's powerful hand, 
Down in the marsh it left a tree 
Where built this strip of land. 

The place is known as Dauphin Isle 
Made by the washing wave: 
It keeps on building all the while 
The inhabitants there to save. 

In this old gulf, sublime and grand, 
Down in its bosom deep, 
Are countless dead; from many land 
Where living creatures creep. 

In her fathom in debris and wreck 
Once worth a mine in gold, 
Shipwrecked vessels now just a speck 
And secrets that can't be told. 

In days gone by were battles fought 
That turned her brine to blood: 
And those poor creatures never thought 
Of how nature understood. 

And how those souls who fought in vain, 
And all the countless dead, 
Might conquer death and live again 
If all those sharks were fed. 



32 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

On the bodies of the unfortunate soul 
Who ventured on a rough sea 
And choose a grave of salt and gold 
To solve this deep mystery. 

And while you're blind yet to decide, 
And scorn my unbelief, 
My comforting secret I dare not hide, 
It gives my soul relief. 

^nd frail superstition, dare not say 
In language we here command 
Thus hear our scorn from day to day: 
God help it understand. 

Roll on old gulf, o're sea and land: 

Your boisterous waves and tide, 

Gore cruel your dead, throw high your sand 

With mocking godly pride. 



EXPLANATION TO THE POEM 

DAUPHIN ISLAND AND THE MAD GULF. 

Superstition would say God made it. Ration- 
alism says, the waves made it. Superstition says 
not only did God make the islands, — he also made 
the people who inhabit the islands, made the earth 
in a few days, then the trees, the sharks, the oc- 
topus, the little and the big fish, controls the waves 
and the storms. 



TAMING MAN 33 

Teach the doctrine of a judgment, when the sea 
and the graves shall give up their dead. 

We know those claims are not true, know why 
the people believe it, we would help it understand, — 
but it would rather not know. Superstition is 
afraid of hell. Rationalism knows no fear. Super- 
stition would beg and pray itself to heaven. Ra- 
tionalism would reason, think and search for know- 
ledge, prepare to do useful things here and then 
we will be able to do something when we pass from 
this life, into the spheres of higher knowledge. 
Superstition, can't explain of how the seas shall 
give up her dead. Rationalism answers, — the seas 
and the grave will never give up their dead. 

The so termed mysteries, will always remain so, 
with those who have closed their minds, established 
a code of doctrine and beliefs. 

Oh "God," that which speaks to us through na- 
ture's beautiful intelligence, who gives to the 
seeker of knowledge a torch that penetrates the 
blackness of night. Help the doubter and the 
stubborn to know this blessed truth — that God 
would hide nothing from the earnest seeker of 
knowledge. 



A STORM AT SEA. 

In South American there raged a storm 
That swept across the sea 
That beat and howled o'er cape and horn- 
'Twas Nature's cruel decree. 



34 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

It rocked the ocean with mountain waves, 
It tore great ships in twain, 
And plunged its dead in watery graves 
With awful wicked main. 

The lightenings flashed, the thunder roared, 
And caused a dreadful sound; 
The dead and dying were cut and gored, 
By debris scattered around. 

• All day long it howled and screamed 
Like hungry wolves it yelled; 
And searched the decks for prey it seemed, 
Like devilish fiends from hell. 

All through the night it mocked and hissed 

At those who prayed for life, 

God could not see in the dark and mist, 

But mocked with angry strife. 

The hand of fate he could not stay 
Nor help those in distress: 
On land and sea, fate has its sway, 
And wreaks its awful best. 

In storm, in famine, in war, in death: 
No GOD will interfere, 
Rely on FAITH— you sink bereft, 
That's just YOUR danger sphere. 

Now when the waves sweep o'er your deck 
And threaten your demain, 
Waste not breath — grip hard the wreck, 
And bravely fight life's game. 



TAMING MAN 35 

Rough storms in life will come and go, 
We'll drift down with the tide — 
And through this lesson learn to know 
To in thyself abide. 



THE ROAR OF THE GULF. 

What's that roaring, rumbling sound, 
That seems so far away 
It almost seems to jar the ground 
And rumbles night and day. 

Can it be that we are so near 
The roar of gun and shell, 
The din of battle I have a fear, 
The same I have of hell. 

It is a natural sound I've heard before: 

It rocks my soul to rest, 

I learn to worship more and more 

It lives down in my breast. 

Sometimes I hear it roaring loud, 
And frothing like it's mad; 
Threatening like a black storm-cloud 
But it never makes me sad. 

It is not like the roar of death 
That belches and barks for blood 
And blows its contaminating breath, 
In rivers of human flood. 



36 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

When it roared so coarse and loud 
We wondered what it could be, 
That disturbed the old gulf so proud: 
It was a storm at sea. 

And when it struck America's shore, 
It tore its road inland; 
Then it had a different roar, 
And did not appear so grand. 

With devil-dare it struck down life, 
Without respect for age; 
Mowed a swath like a two-edged knife, 
And mocked with savage rage. 

When the storm god decreed his will, 
The wind then ceased to blow, 
But the wild waves are never still, 
For Nature arranged it so. 

How harsh and cruel is Nature's god, 
How gentle and how kind — 
Who doth rule with sword and rod 
And leave the people blind. 

His strength is in the ocean wave, 
His voice is in its roar, 
Master of Hell and the Grave — 
Frowns and smiles on every shore. 

When this old earth rocks with quake, 
We feel his awful tread; 
Volcanoes burst, foundations shake, 
We have a cause to dread. 



TAMING MAN 37 

And when the meteors dart and fall, 
And comets sweep their trail, 
I tremble with fear, I feel so small, 
But on and on and on I sail. 

And if my ship should go to wreck, 
Sailing life's stormy sea, 
I'll pin my faith down to the deck 
And trust my Gods near me. 



THE FOREST KING. 

There's something in these wavering pines 
That appeals to nature's heart; 

Their suggestions, from time to time, 
With me shall never part. 

And when the gentle breezes blow, 

To my tired soul they bring, 
A language that I'd love to know: 

It speaks of a forest king. 

Then when the breezes shift around 

The pines will let you know 
For when they have a different sound, 

The wind is most sure to blow. 

Ah, the pines, they howl so loud, 

And shake their heavy main, 
Of their strength seem so proud; 

And to my heart they cling. 



38 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

I ne'er can forget I woke in fright, 

I heard a wicked sound: 
The pines were screaming with their might, 

And things were whirling round. 

When I discovered my old pine tree 

Was slowly giving away, 
I ventured all alone to see, 

What the young was going to say. 

I had concluded they didn't care, 
For they struck me in the face : 

And with their gesture did compare, 
That pine with the human race. 

I wondered about that tree so tall, 

Seen how its form was bent 
And when I heard it groan and fall, 

I knew what the young pine meant. 

That old tree stood in the way, 

Of the progress of the race: 
When it died the world would say, 

Let us respect the sacred place. 

Where once stood this brave old tree, 

And waved a shining light, 
False or true we must agree, 

To defend our sacred right. 

The night was dark, the storm was hard, 
And that forest to me is dear, 

For the young and strong stand guard; 
And for the storms I will not fear. 



YOUR THINKER SAY. 

Sometimes, we think, and think, and think: 

And never think a thing: 
Until my eyes begin to blink, 

And my ears begin to ring. 

And then I think I'm thinking wrong: 
And think this thing, won't do, 

And if we move this game along, 
We must drive some think in you. 

As we watch from day to day, 

We see a busy throng, 
Carelessly marching along the way, 

Not knowing where they belong. 

Who never think of something new, 

Nor reason out a thing, 
Just drift alonng the same as you 

The same old song to sing. 

We see the people all dressed up fine, 

And rushing here and there, 
We read the thoughts that's in their mind 

And find them on the square. 

And when we hear them think out loud, 

We hear them think or say, 
Think is easy, think with the crowd 

Just throw your thoughts away. 



40 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

And if you sift this think down fine, 

And try to sift it out, 
You'll find we're drifting down the line, 

Not knowing what we're about. 

That think is a habit handed down 
From ancient days of old, 

That's the reason you squirm andfrown 
When of those things you're told. 

We are taught to think with Josua, 
With Moses and the rest, 

But the modern thinker of this day 
Does seem to me the best. 

Suppose you try to think like this; 

It's just and fair to you, 
Then watch ancient warn and hiss, 

Let us see what he will do. 

Since God is good and just and kind, 

Does for his people care 
Speak to us so deaf and blind, 

And in our troubles share. 

Give us a message, tell us how, 
Peace to this mad world to bring 

Though omnipotant send it now 
We will thy praises sing. 

Speak to us, if thou dos't know? 

The hell in bloody war, 
Make known thy power if it be so, 

For Christ dos't sure abhor. 



TAMING MAN 41 

Whatever tends to flatten hell, 

Or degrade the soul of man 
A word from thee should compell 

Ah, — show thou omnipotant hand. 

Now if it be hell that speaks to me, 
And warns of this wicked trend, 

Then give us hell, that we may see 
To hell your message send. 

For in hell is life, that hopes for peace, 

That hates the hells of earth, 
That would the joys of earth increase, 

And light it with new birth. 



JAPAN'S NATIONAL DEFENSE 
ASSOCIATION. 

This Association, composed of war agitators, 
has published a book for the purpose of inciting 
hatred and raising the passions of the populace 
to the point where they are ready and willing to 
committ wholesale murder at the command of 
the war lords. 

Extracts from this revolting volume have found 
their way into the American press and have been 
eagerly seized upon by our own Jingoists in their 
campaign in the interest of the War Devil in this 
country. But one will have to admit that the 



42 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

character of the work is such as to bring trembling 
fear to our people who pursue its pages in earnest, 
for if Japan's dream were to ever be realized the 
War Devil's grip would close over the throat of 
America's manhood with a grip of steel. 

One of the amazing features of the Association's 
propaganda and plan is the disposition of the Ameri- 
can Navy, the ships of which they have located, 
attacked and destroyed with the utmost ease 
(on paper). Take for instance our battleship 
Georgia, so powerful in her death dealing strength 
that even the strongest would fear her. But not 
so with the Japanese National Defense Association. 
In the estimation of these gentlemen the Georgia 
was just a toy and easily vanquished by the little 
yellow men. This magnificent man-of-war, proudly 
and fearlessly floating the stars and stripes, and 
manned by a picked crew of officers and men met 
with shameful defeat in her first battle with the 
valorous yellow men. The ease with which these 
mighty people wiped up the earth with our inferior 
forces, cowered, conquered and occupied America, 
is without doubt, the most amazing piece of ficti- 
tious prophecy ever recorded. There has been 
nothing to equal it since Moses inscribed the story 
of parting the waters of the Red Sea that his fleeing 
slaves might escape the wrath of their masters. The 
climax comes with the signing of the treaty of peace, 
dictated by victorious Japan, the terms of which 
are enough to shame and disgust any warm-blooded 
American, or cause any Japanese coolie to consider 
himself a world conqueror. 

Then the Association's writer works on the 
love-bubble of Japan's brawny men. They tell 



TAMING MAN 43 

the men that the Americans are jealous of them, 
especially the Calif ornians. Japs are pictured as 
very alluring to American women, and are assured 
that these women would make fine mates for the 
brave sons of Nippon. 

On such as this are PATRIOTS fed. The war 
has been fought to the everlasting glory and honor 
of Japan and the lasting disgrace and humiliation 
of America, which has been invaded and its wonder- 
ous wealth and women apportioned as spoils to 
the victors. But this is the stuff that has been 
handed out to the masses always to raise their 
patriotism to the blood-letting point, and Japan 
is only copying the methods that have been so 
successful with her more civilized (?) neighbors. 
It seems that a people who can be influenced and 
led to war by a group of war-crazed teachers of 
falsehood deserve the hell into which they are 
plunged. 



THE ASS THAT TALKED. 

In days of old when mules were scarce 

And asses were scarcer still ; 
When one ass spoke t'was thought a farce, 

It filled the world with thrill. 

There are freak asses, as sure as Mike; 

One brayed in old Japan, 
The fool asses all want to fight, 

To defend their native land. 

When big asses with pomp and pride 

Blurt out their warlike neigh, 
Those little asses in him confide 

And prance and strut and bray. 

This old ass with conscience seared, 

With a hide as tough as hell; 
Shouts in voice with sword and beard, 

Tells of the mules that fell 

In battle, under his command, 

Of glorious victories won, 
Of armies that can never stand 

The fire of Jap's big gun. 

Then the animals cannot see 

The scheme of this old bait, 
Know not of what there is to be, 

Their danger nor their fate. 



TAMING MAN 45 

Now may I venture to command, 

With me you should agree, 
Peacefully rest in your native land : 

Meet not AMERICA, on land or sea. 



THE SEARCHLIGHT TURNED ON. 

In the January number of the 1916 Illustrated 
World, there is an article by Baily Millard: WHAT 
IS THERE IN THE OCCULT ? 

He says ; — when out of all the mass of chicaney, 
charlantry, and Humbug as to fortune telling, 
mind reading, and the like, there emerges some- 
thing that apparently proves psychic power in 
human beings; it is seized upon by the friends of 
the occult, and flaunted in the faces of the skeptical. 

Nothing in the psychic they cry triumphantly: 
look at this; — what did I tell you! Then in order 
to establish evidence of the existence of psycholgy, 
of the human soul, he relates incidents all of which 
are important and should help to establish the 
confidence of those who are in search of scientific 
knowledge; only the very ordinary things referred 
to, yet there is enough to it to convince the reader 
that Mr. Millard, might give to the world, some- 
thing that it needs, and would make interesting 
reading. 

Mr. Millard acknowledges that he is just a layman. 
There are laymen who have stored away in a rusty 
brain cell hidden secrets that the world would like 



46 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

to know about. But how cautious, how careful 
we must tread. 

We will take it for granted that there are two 
classes of individual. One in search of facts, and 
scientific knowledge, the other in search of evidence 
that will contradict, whatever force in nature, 
that looms up to combat with dogma and anything 
out of the ordinary is sign of trickery, and dishonesty. 

The fact that a man is connected with a society 
of Scientific Research, proves or disproves nothing; 
eepecially when it comes to dealing with those 
who are possessed with phenomenal power who 
converse with the dead. 

If Mr. Millard is blessed with that power, he 
is qualified to handle the subject. If he lacks the 
phenomenon, he can only give the experience of 
others, and has no intelligent understanding of 
that he would have the reader know. 

And I only have to deal with the case of Mr. 
Kellogg and his statement that he had been for 
twenty years in search of an honest medium, and 
is still searching — to prove that only those who 
are qualified to handle the subject are those who 
are possessed with the psychic power. 

Let us learn how much there is in the statement of 
Mr. Kellogg. If it is a truth that he has searched 
for twenty years for an honest medium, and is 
still searching, and we know of thousands whose 
qualifications are as good to judge whether or not — 
all who are possessed with phenomenon powers 
are dishonest as that of Mr. Kellogg, who in the 
space of a few years through their investigation 
have gathered evidence and through their knowledge 
and experience are converted to the truth of the 



TAMING MAN 47 

phenomenon must discredit Mr. Kellogg's qualifi- 
cation and method of research. 

Was he inclined to be fair with himself and the 
public he might visit one of the several honest 
mediums who could be found within only a few 
hours' ride of his home. 

One Mrs. Elizibethj Blake, of Proctorville, Ohio, 
for example, where he might converse with departed 
friends and recognize voices. 

Did he condescend to visit a campmeeting 
where the Reverend Sam Jones in his day preached 
to his people, it would be interesting to Mr. Kellogg 
to hear that deep musical voice again. 

To me the witty sayings of Sam Jones and the 
gosts of my dear friends are interesting and helpful, 
and I covet their association, — but I never go to 
a graveyard or look behind a tombstone to find 
them. 

Twenty years in search of an honest medium! 
Why should a medium be dishonest? The fact 
that anyone claiming phenomenon power resort 
to fakery, is evidence that he is not possessed with 
phenomenon power. 

Those claiming to have discovered evidences that 
mediums work sorcery, sleight of hand, Ven- 
triloquism, and Magic Wand exposes their lack 
of knowledge as to what a medium in reality is. 
We contradict his statement, — we would prefer 
to say that there are no dishonest mediums. 

If that society has offered a reward of five thou- 
sand dollars to anyone with mind reading power 
who will tell him the number of Oranges that he 
will place behind his back — I cannot understand 
why some one has not claimed the reward; neither 



48 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

can I understand why it would be a greater mystery 
to tell how many Oranges was placed behind my 
back than it would be to tell how many people 
are in a room, how many children, how they are 
dressed, how many eggs in the incubator or under 
the hen, the amount and date of notes, the amount 
of interest, and a thousand other things of greater 
importance. I would not care to make a trip to 
New York at my expense to test out his orange 
proposition, for I would be as suspicious of fake 
oranges as I would any other fake business. 

The London society would have us believe that 
to make sure of getting water when you dig a well 
we should find someone with phenomenon power 
who with a willow stick or a rod, walk over the lot 
where the well is to be dug, look wise, and one 
end will drop where the well should be dug. 

We are willing to confess that would be better 
than digging a deep hole and getting no water. 

I remember when I was a boy seeing my Uncle 
Tom walking over the yard with a willow stick 
balanced across his finger and the well was dug 
where it tilted and we found water; our neighbor 
dug a well without the test, a foolish thing to do, 
but as luck would have it, he also found water. 

When I grew up I lost confidence in that willow 
switch business, my father says, who, by the way, is a 
ghost now, that I grew away from the willow and 
hickory switch. 

The London Society may be composed of great 
men of science, whose word is law in the world of 
psychic, but in my opinion it will in time outgrow 
the willow switch. 

It would be unfair to suppose that Europe would 



TAMING MAN 49 

believe in a reasonable phenomenon until they 
have advanced in the evolution of intelligence and 
civilization to where they will find a more reasonable, 
economical and humane way to settle disputes 
than by the destruction of wealth and the slaughter 
of her young and healthy sons. 

Then as to the phenomenon of apparition. What 
was the conclusion? that between death and ap- 
parition of a dying person a connection exists that 
is not due to chance? 

Of course this accounts for, and establishes the 
phenomenon of ghosts. 

For the consolation of our dear friends who 
believe in ghosts; the cloud that shrouded your 
honest soul in a deep mystery and shut out your 
vision from the awful depths of eternity, is brushed 
away, and you can conceive of why it is that you 
see your friends' ghosts just before, or just about 
the time of their death. 

Where, then, is the consoling thought do you ask? 
I frankly confess that I do not know, unless it is 
that the soul of your loved ones is cut off from earth 
and there are no people with medium power who 
receive messages from the dead, that the dead will 
not come back to earth meddling in our affairs, that 
we will not be tormented with our friends beyond 
the grave. 

It is the general conclusion that old abandoned 
houses are natural haunts for ghosts. There are 
houses in every section of the country where the 
rental value has depreciated because a ghost has 
taken possession and people don't enjoy their 
peculiar pranks and innocent jokes. 

A Mr. French Canfield, formerly.of Elkins, W. Va., 



50 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

now living at Irvington, Alabama, was telling how 
it was believed that a certain man that he knew 
had murdered his wife and child, and of how a 
woman would scream, and strange noises heard, 
around the old house. While I could not believe 
that ghosts visit abandoned houses, the story in- 
terested me, as I was impressed with his earnestness, 
knowing something of his character; we decided to 
see what we could do toward finding out the facts. 
The supposed murdered woman was called for. 
And when we were in touch with the murdered 
woman, she described an old log house that she 
was killed in, instead of a frame where it was be- 
lieved she was killed, and that the child had been 
dashed on the floor, or against the wall in the frame 
house and killed, and that the bodies were burned 
into ashes on heavy log heaps, which corroborated 
with the suspicion, except mother and child were 
believed had met death in the frame house. 

And as to the story about ghosts visiting aban- 
doned houses, she said was imaginary. Departed 
friends could, and do visit the earth through medium 
power, but do not visit graveyards, nor lonesome 
places; that they come to earth to get in touch 
with people and to help them know the truth, — to 
instruct and advise, and that ghosts are the imagina- 
tion of the brain. 

Dr. J. H. Hyslop's decision that mind reading 
belongs to spirits, and since it is known to a certainty 
that they do know every thought of the brain 
when in touch with that brain and no theory has 
ever disproved the claim. 

And we believe Prof. Hyslop to be one of the most 
reliable as well as the best qualified, has had a wide 



TAMING MAN 51 

experience in the investigation of mediums, I, 
though a layman in the Occult World, believe his 
judgment more worthy the consideration of those 
in search of scientific knowledge than incompetent 
and prejudiced critics. 

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD PREFER TO 
BELIEVE IN GHOSTS: I recommend that they 
test the congeniality of their association. If you 
find them intelligent, instructive and honest, I fail 
to find a reasonable excuse for showing them a cold 
shoulder or treating them with disrespect. Shall 
I close the door of my heart against them? Why 
not offer them the best seat in the parlor, buy for 
them the best cigars, and give them the best of 
everything that we have? Continue your search 
for them around old dilapidated houses and grave- 
yards, — when you have found a ghost stay with it, 
sleep with it, in that old house, and in the cemetery. 

What is a ghost? Nobody knows; Webster says 
to haunt with an apparition. Webster didn't 
know much about ghosts, but he knew that other 
people did, and he based his definition on this. 



GHOSTS AND SUPERSTITION ARE GOOD 

FRIENDS. 

I would like to have superstition dig down into a 
grave, find a dead body, kiss and caress it, thump it 
and roll it around, until it shows signs of life, lift 
up its head and talks with you, you will have a real 



AWTl 1. HkUViUTS OK 
Spartan Press. 1265, Gal r LMO McMahon 

er.ee wr.r ,\-:s\iov.;;\^ r^:r,i:\v 
in it. worth giving out to the world. 

But if it makes no sign of life, displays no 

te'./.^'-ee. •.:" ; .: -.s stubborn. ae:s s ; .ek. .\r.J. refuses 
to ta.'.k with you. w!:,;: thou, wul ho your doeisior. ■ 
Will you cone s sleeping — wa i 

tor the ese serr.ethir.i; 

disp'.a\ \:\U 
::: your o.ir setuo row ;: 
It :::^::: bo a r.ulher. ye. 

W'er. v that 

sleeping soul, because of that million years of 

Is that the sweet res: wo sin$ 

about? Would not be better to say that is time 
Lost That is worse than nothing. LET US MOVE 
ON IK THE REA1 M OF LIGHT AND EVOLU- 
TION: — if you fail to find in the ghost or dead 
body what you would • o bo know. If in all of 
your experiences through the journey of life you 
b Dot met u] in the spiritual 

realm, that appearee igent, If nothing except 

or. soo w ith 3 our natural e\\ 
ir soul, it wha know about eterni: 

what you have n cold unintellig 

creeds, faiths and the dreams of primitive 

life 
and power to demor.stra: vity and display 

intelligence in si 

If it blackens your vision of the future, and 
associates your soul with devils and hell, it it 
preaches to you about ghosts holy or unholy. — if 
it farms i you no direet and positive evidence 

of the whereabouts of vour loved ones. Whether 



TAMING MAN 53 

it appears intelligent to your mind or not, I shall 
advise you to bury it, associate it with decayed 
flesh and dusty bones and find something that has 
life and power. 

That something that can teach, that knows and 
talks, has the power of love, can sympathize, is 
educating, reasonable, and refuses to sleep the long 
and silent sleep of death. That says if you would 
aid in building an earthly heaven you should chain 
the false, and strangle that monster ignorance that 
grins in the face of truth. 



THE MELTING POT STAFF. 

The Melting Pot speaks of a real ghost, with 
long yellow curly hair that pulled out easy. It 
must have been captured in a cemetery or drug out 
of a morgue; judging from the way it was handled, 
it must have made a slip somewhere, for evidently 
it lost out with the Melting Pot Staff. It struck a 
live crew there, they must have discovered that it 
lacked life and intelligence, and the Melting Pot 
Crew, don't bother with anything that is deficient in 
mind, but even they are subject to error. 

I admire their method of handling ghostly sub- 
jects, and whether this ghost deserved the cruel 
treatment that it received is a question. 

Was this ghost a respectable ghost? Was it 
intelligent, or was it a dead ghost? The writer of 
that article must have decided in the negative, and 



54 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

associated it with graveyards and old abandoned 
houses. And unless he is in a position to determine 
whether or not there are such things as ghosts, or 
spirits or a soul, I am sure that he could not define 
the psychology of the soul, — why should we have 
confidence in his judgment when it comes to a 
phenomenon that deals with man's future destiny, 
and is to settle a deep mystery that has for thousands 
•of years, shrouded the world in a veil of darkness and 
flooded its rivers with human blood. 

The situation is plain: the reporter must have 
undertaken to handle something that he couldn't 
manage, and instead of confessing that it was out 
of his line, that it was something that his mind 
could not conceive, he left the finger marks of 
ignorance, and made a trail that no man could 
follow with safety that leads nowhere. 

Mediums have to deal with two worlds: The 
intelligence and truth of one — the superstition 
and ignorance of the other. 

Knee pant reporters with gosling voices, old case 
hardened subjects with stiff beard, het in the 
furnace of prejudice, — good honest souls hammered 
on the anvil of creeds, doctrines, and faiths. 

If thou hast discovered something through knowl- 
edge of science and natural law, we care not how, 
if it is helpful and you can back it up with evidence, 
let us have it. It is fair and just that you expect us 
to back our claims with evidence. And unless you 
are in a position to show knowledge of your sub- 
ject we shall erase you from our memory so far 
as your judgment and advise is concerned. 

And we would advise the critic to know his 
subject. 



MY EARLY EXPERIENCES. 

Since writing the first chapter of this awful book, 
entitled * 'Awful Thoughts," I have had so many 
interesting experiences it would be impossible to 
give them all to the world. 

When I first discovered my medium power in the 
early period of my experiences, I did not see any 
visions. 

As I gained in strength, the visions became very 
interesting, until I would see them almost every 
morning about the time I was waking. Some will 
say, "he is a dreamer." Everybody dreams, but 
they dream when they are asleep — having had 
several years' experience, I believe, I am able to dis- 
cern the difference between the two. "Visions," 
are wonderfully impressive; and every one of them 
has a deep significance. I would prefer not to see 
them so often, as they place on me responsibility. 

I do not see visions when I am asleep, sometimes 
I am in a trance and again I am wide awake. 

There is as great a contrast in a vision and a 
dream as there are in a photograph and a person. 

A vision is real — like life ; voices are heard, 
which is the natural voice. If the first vision fails to 
impress me deeply — I will see it a second, or 
third time if necessary; if there is anything that I 
fail to understand, the interpreter who is usually 
the one causing the impression, is there to explain. 

In my writing I have but little to do in selecting 
my subject; it is given me through a phenomenon 
power. 



56 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

One vision will impress me with the wrong of 
race prejudice. The inhumanity of separating 
brother, sister, father and mother, in slavery time. 
The affection of the negro is as tender as it is with 
any other race of people. The folly of the * 'white 
man" driving the "black man" to do his bidding, 
and resorting to outlawery and mob rule, which 
exposes the brute spirit in man, and makes of him 
a lawless murderer, and a dangerous character. 
* It is our duty to encourage education, which is the 
only safe remedy for this insane spirit. 

How the Music and Song Is Conveyed To Me 
Through An Unseen Power : 

On one Sunday morning, about six o'clock, in my 
wanderings through a strange land, that resembled 
a lumber district, I seen and heard a man singing 
and playing on a violin. I was touched by the soft 
strains of music that were sweeter, than any I had 
ever heard produced by a violin. 

The poetry also touched my soul, because it told 
of this man's sadness, who had strayed away from 
loved ones and home ; and of how in a pinch of want, 
he had been forced to violate some law or code, and 
forced to hide away from the thorny hand of law. 

His sad heart and anxiety mingled with fear and 
love — that told of his situation, and that of hun- 
dreds of thousands of other men who had been made 
outlaws, in the sight of the law because of the 
inequality and evils in society. 

The impression was strong enough that I re- 
membered the tune and the poetry and with the 
assistance of my mother, and John A. Burner, I am 
able to place the song, "Memories Of The Past," 
before the public — my affidavit will appear on the 



TAMING MAN 57 

cover. At another time, I heard music apparently 
played by a banjo and mandolin. 

I remembered all that I heard but because the 
song was not complete, I became careless and a few 
weeks later I heard the same music again; the first 
part of which was played on stringed instruments 
and the other half complete Band Music; this time 
the song was completed, so far as I know. 

John Burner was a music teacher, who had passed 
over about two and a half years; he advised me to 
get a harp and learn to play the music, which I did, 
but could not remember it well enough to play it 
correctly, and place every note in its proper place ; 
with his assistance I learned to play the song — 
which is also in the hands of the publisher. 

My affidavit will also appear on the cover of this 
song, which is entitled, "Joshua's Sun." The 
Poetry and Title was taught me by Rev. Dr. Walker; 
who was one of the leading spirits in the Baptist 
Church and is supposed to have died in Huntington, 
W. Va. The Church lost this good man, because of 
its lack of knowledge, of natural law, — over-con- 
fidence in the sacredness of Ancient History. And 
while I did not know of him until he spoke to me at 
a night circle at Mrs. Blake's, — since then he has 
been one of my most competent advisors. And the 
Church's loss was my gain. What is true in this 
illustration, is also true with other denominations. 
I believe I have more advisors among the Church 
people than I have among non-church people. 

I am also certain about their rationalism, and the 
superior strength of the spirit mind, and while 
others may feel doubtful — about the welfare of 
men like Dr. Walker, I have a way of knowing 



58 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

that it is well with them, and gets better all the 
time, — and if they are in hell I would like to be 
there with them when my work is ended on earth. 
The following message was given to David E. 
McQuain, who has for the past few years resided in 
Huntington, W. Va. 

THE MESSAGE. 

This is Brother Walker talking. I want you to 
deliver this message to Brother for me 

as I was very much interested in him in the earthly 
body, and am still interested in him. 

I know he wonders why I do not speak to him. 
But he has not the gift. You ask him if he has the 
gift of healing. All do not have the same gift. 
He is a doubter, but an honest one. Tell him when 
he comes to pass over, he will see things different like 
I did. Now he believes the word, you ask him what 
about the apostles on the day of pentecost when 
they were all with one accord in one place ; and they 
were all filled with the Holy Spirit — and began 
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them 
utterance. 

Tell him when I left the body all was dark in the 
room — and I went through the water which 
purified from the earth to Spirit conditions. A 
light was held for me to cross the river — and I will 
hold the light for him. 



WHAT IS THE BANNER OF CHRIST, IS IT 

THIS? 

A Christian gentleman said, I am pained because 
of your reckless attack on the Bible and the Christian 



TAMING MAN 59 

faith. He says, Are you so blind and depraved in 
nature, that you can not see the progress in civiliza- 
tion? How any man could deny the Christian 
Religion since the banner of our Lord Jesus, waving 
triumphantly wherever the Gospel is preached, 
I can not conceive. Since the Gospel of Christ and 
the true religion is being preached by the missions 
of civilized nations, to the heathen — people are not 
worshiping idols of wood and stone, nor killing 
one another. 

And there have been men of large caliber, thun- 
dered their infidelity on the Christian Religion, 
whose influence is no longer feared nor felt. Can 
you not find a more sane course to pursue, in order 
to establish the phenomenon of spiritualism? 

My friend, the return of the spirit, establishes 
itself. But itjcan neither communicate nor reason 
with the powers of darkness and prejudice. To- 
night I am writing by oil light; I am thankful that 
it is not a pine torch or a tallow candle. 

When I am in the city I appreciate the bright 
electric light and I would like to have our little 
brown cottage out in the pines, lighted by electricity. 
When I was here three years ago, I drove a horse 
that I called Ginger. He was dangerous, but because 
he would take me to the station five miles away in 
thirty minutes and not tire I loved him and because 
I gave him the rein and treated him decent he loved 
me. Now I drive a Regal automobile and make the 
same distance in ten and fifteen minutes. I wish 
there were more Edisons and we admire the man 
who invented the Gas Engine. The high wheel loco- 
motive, the steam boat, steel cars, and the ships 
that face the storms and plow the briny deep. Do 



60 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

you not have more confidence in the sanity of the 
Edisons and men of science than did your fore- 
fathers? Do you know that the man who gave to 
the world the first steam boat, was thought insane ? 
The man that harnessed electricity and predicted 
that man would converse with man at a distance of a 
thousand miles over a wire was thought a fit subject 
for the lunatic Asylum. Some of us thought it was 
wicked to talk about drawing electricity from the 
clouds and harnessing the lightning. 

Where did those men of genius find their in- 
spiration? I do not believe that any man was ever 
inspired or helped to do great things by reading the 
bible. The man of genius has not had the encourage- 
ment that he should have had, and our government 
has done but little to help the inventor. Thousands 
have given up hope and died in poverty, because they 
did not have the means to complete the undertaking 
that might have proved a blessing to the world. 
And I am admonished and told that when people 
accept the Christian faith they become docile and 
stop killing one another. Are you sure that state- 
ment is correct, my friend? 

Why not work in Europe a while longer, and 
preach double doses in some of these civilized people ? 

The people may not be kissing the feet and 
images of old warriors, but had they not as well 
worship stone gods and be kissing the toe of some 
monster, as to be falling on their faces and crying, 
pleading and begging, to something that no mortal 
man has ever seen or heard? 

As to the phenomenon of spiritualism, that was 
established before I knew anything about the 
phenomenon. And as to the phenomenon of 



TAMING MAN 61 

mediums, that is a reality, a beautiful truth, that 
need not hide under a cloak, and is going to correct 
all the evils in society. 

In this book that you would have me believe is 
the word of God, in which is recorded the fundamen- 
tal principles of your faith and religion I read 
where Christ said : Blessed are the poor in spirit, for 
theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are the 
meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are 
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
for they shall be filled. 

And many other blessed sayings; then we read in 
the 10th Chapter of St. Matthew, where it is claimed 
that the same man said : Think not that I am come to 
send peace on earth; I carne not to send peace but 
a sword. For I am come to set man at variance 
against his father, and the daughter against the 
mother, and the daughter-in-law against the mother- 
in-law, and the man's foes shall be those of his own 
household. The writer caused him to say, He 
that loveth father and mother more than me is 
not worthy of me : and what I tell you in darkness, 
that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, 
that preach ye upon the house-tops; and fear not 
them which kill the body; but rather fear him which 
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

I have a strong reason to believe that a good 
man Jesus, lived in the first century, who was 
abused; the history of whom is incorrect; who was 
killed by a howling mob, but not crucified; never 
uttered the language; nor done the things that he 
has been accused of. 

WHO ARE THE MEEK THAT INHERITED 
THE EARTH? Not the laborers, the producers of 



62 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

wealth, the widow and mothers whose husbands 
and sons have been crushed in the mines and 
slaughtered in the mills of greed and profit. In 
your religious delirium, you preach that the time 
for this and that passage of holy scripture to be 
fulfilled is just at hand. 

This yell has been ringing in the ears of the mis- 
guided people for hundreds of years. Now we plead 
with you to use your influence with the master. 
Ask him to speed the time when the masters of 
earth will complete the slaughter. Tell him that 
the Kings and the money lords, and the men who 
have robbed the meek of their portion of earth, 
have turned a deaf ear to the cries of oppressed and 
would make obedient slaves by reducing to poverty 
all men and women who are so unfortunate as to be 
so situated that they are forced to sell the muscle 
or brain to the masters of earth in order to sustain 
life. If it was he who sent the sword, plead with 
him to take it away. If it was he who set at variance 
and caused disputes between father and mother, 
son and daughter, husband and wife, kings and 
presidents, ask him, the Christian God, if the 
reign of hell should not cease. Ask him to restore 
peace on earth. 

In the light of reason and rationalism — would 
you indict this splendid man by declaring the 
Jewish bibliolatry to be the word of God? Fear 
not those who kill the body, but rather fear him 
who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

"How glorious, How consoling" is the language 
of this paragraph. What does it mean? That we 
must believe and obey the doctrines; the propo- 
gandists of the bible, or lose your soul? 



TAMING MAN 63 

An appropriate text to preach from, if you think 
it right to excite and scare children — when you 
preach the sermon, I would like for you to extend 
to me the invitation, to visit your city and grant to 
me the privilege to teach to the matured minds 
from the same text from your pulpit. 

And I will prove to the people that the doctrine 
that you teach is "dangerous" and is not true. 

I am admonished by the civil heads for my 
recklessness. Can not see why I am so blind and 
depraved in nature. 

Fear and stay on your knees lest he send on you 
calamity. Are we fools who do not see in the 
Christians' God the only hope for eternal life? 
Was it the son of Joseph who taught that poverty 
is a blessing? That this good man supplies the 
wants of the needy — answers prayer — then turn 
a deaf ear to millions of cries and prayers — and 
then expect us to wait patiently for the time when 
he will through his ominpotence end the hells of 
earth. Please answer me. 



THE THEORY OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS. 

Was, The earth was flat and the sky was a solid 
dome above it — the sun revolved around the earth 
to give heat and the Moon revolved around the 
earth to give light by night. God created the Stars 
for lights, for man's special purpose. 

And he did it all in a few days by word of mouth. 



64 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

The center of the universe was the earth; and those 
who denied that theory was an Infidel — and was in 
danger of being murdered, tortured in Shackles or 
burned at the stake. Modern thinkers do not 
believe in the early Christian's theory. 

God also created the one universe, the System 
and the Solar System, and all there was and is. 
God, called the Heavenly Father, was all-wise, 
all powerful and is revealed to us in the Scriptures, 
as the great Omnipotent. 

It has since become known that there are con- 
siderable more of the Universe as revealed by 
science. 

It is believed now there are numerous suns. Our 
Planet is only one of eight, which revolve around the 
Sun. There is probably millions of solar systems, 
each containing millions of solar systems. Our 
Sun's diameter is a hundred and eight times that of 
the earth; it revolves at a speed of about four 
thousand miles an hour. 

Mercury's distance from the Sun, is approxi- 
mately thirty-six million miles; Venus, sixty-seven 
million miles, the Earth ninety-three million miles; 
Mars a hundred and forty-one million miles; Jupiter, 
four hundred and eighty-three million miles ; Saturn, 
eight hundred and eighty-six million miles; Uranus, 
a thousand seven hundred and eighty-two million 
miles; Neptune, two thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-two million miles. 

The distance from the earth, to the nearest star 
is about four light years ; light travels, at a hundred 
and eighty-two thousand miles per second, and 
would be four years reaching the earth. 

As to the number of stars, no one can even guess. 



TAMING MAN 65 

This is only a hint, at the unexplorable mysteries in 
nature. And yet, it is claimed by the Bible Writers, 
that this insignificant God that has been portrayed 
to us, did all this in a few days. 

My Christian friends and my enemies will say 
this is evidence of a God. That no intelligence less 
than God could do these wonderful things. I claim 
that it disproves the theory of the Christians' God. 
Could the Moses burning bush God have done this ? 
The reason that the bible writers tell us nothing 
about this magnincant, grand and glorious system 
and solar systems, is because they had no way of 
knowing anything about them. Had they had some 
knowledge of this wonderful inexplorable phenome- 
non in nature, they would have wrote that God 
made them, by word of mouth, and that God told 
them to write it down in a book, and the confusion 
would have been greater. 

Let us look into this God theory that the Bible 
tells us about: — What about him? Read the 
following passages of Scripture and ask your reason 
if a God like the Christians have pictured to us, 
driving, scaring and threatening; favoring a part 
of the people and cursing the other, had anything 
to do with the making of this wonderful creation. 



COMMENT AND REASON. 

Deuteronomy Chapter 28 : — The Lord shall smite 
thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and 
with inflamation, with an extreme burning, and with 



66 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

a sword, and with blasting and with mildew. Is 
this the portraying of the character and the dis- 
position of the Christians' God? A God "with a 
capacity for cursing, we neither fear nor respect." 
The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before 
thyne enemies. A revengeful spirit we hate. 

Thy carcass shall be meat unto the fowls of the 
air and unto the beasts of the field, and no man shall 
•fray them away. We hate a "God"' that will 
pollute the air with the stench of the children of men, 
and then guard to make sure that their carcass shall 
be devoured by the fowls of the air and the wild 
beasts. 

The Lord will smite thee with botch of Egypt and 
with emrods, and with the scab and with the itch 
whereof thou canst not be healed. 

This portrays a character so loathsome and 
dangerous that he is not fit to look upon our cities 
as corrupt as they are. The Lord will smite thee 
with madness and blindness and astonishment of 
heart. IS there a Devil or a demon even though 
he had the power to do so — so depraved in nature 
who would execute the fiendish threats of this war 
God? 

So that the man that is tender among you and 
very delicate his eyes shall be evil toward his 
brother and toward the wife of his bosom and 
toward the remnant of his children which he shall 
leave, — for a fire is kindled in mine anger and shall 
burn in the lowest hell. Is this the God that you 
would have me pray to ? I would not so much as re- 
move my hat in his presence. I would not have 
my brothers and sisters bow a knee in any "church" 
where such a monster "is enthroned." 



TAMING MAN 67 

I will spend mine arrows upon them, they shall 
be burnt with hunger and devoured with burning 
heat and with bitter destruction. I will also send 
the beasts with teeth upon them with the poison 
serpents of the dust. The sword without and terror 
within shall destroy both the young man and the 
Virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hair. 
Then a quotation of the Bible; it is a terrible thing 
to fall into the hands of the living God. Then have 
some noted Artist paint a picture of this * 'monster," 
that the Bible "writers" have portrayed to us, and 
hang it in your Library, and in the institutions 
of "education," and in the halls of "science." 
And we will teach "this generation" to neither 
"worship nor fear" this phantom and they will 
learn to hate and look upon him with scorn, and 
the "church" may discontinue their worship of 
this horrible nightmare. 

Praying is right thinking; it is appealing to one's 
manhood; it is talking to the soul; you appeal to 
the God in you; we may not speak a word when we 
pray; we can pray with ourself, but we can't "pray 
for other people" ;to pray for our friends in public, 
where the public hear our pathetic plea for the poor 
lost sinner — sympathize with them in their weak- 
ness, does no good, and belittles them in the 
estimation of thinking people. To beg God, "for 
what by nature we are entitled to, is an insult to 
an intelligent Supreme Being." 

No intelligent being would expect puny mortal 
man, to so much as thank him when it rains, after 
a long dry spell, or to bless his name when the crops 
are all drowned out by too much rain. Such a 
God as pictured by the Bible writers, never existed. 



68 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

The bunglesome blunders as he is credited with, 
has made of him a fiend and proves that he is not 
qualified to do the things that is claimed for him. 



MORE ABOUT GHOSTS. * 

Some people might go into a room where a seance 
is being held and hear the voice of loved ones whom 
they suppose dead, witness the moving of objects, 
musical instruments, leave the stand, float in air 
and cause strains of music, by some unseen 
power, they might rush from the room with a face 
as colorless as death. Look for secret closets, 
search adjoining rooms, and climb in the attic to 
catch the man that made a business of imitating the 
voice of the millions of dead. But if the same 
people should spy a Gypsy camp, where fakers could 
be found telling fortunes with the settlements of 
coffee grounds, or the lines in the hand they would 
cheerfully pay the price and patiently wait for the 
fortune that will be soon coming and argue with the 
postmaster about the letter that was to reach the 
office the following week. 

It does seem like a hard task to undertake to 
convince some people that there are no ghosts, 
especially those who have been seeing them all their 
life. But people are learning that when a ghost is 
cornered it turns out to be a squeaking door, a loose 
plank, a chunk, stump or a cow with the spots in 
the wrong place. I knew a young man who hid in a 



TAMING MAN 69 

cemetery with two old fashioned skillet lids, and 
ground them together and on a dark night it 
sounded like all the skeletons in the graveyard 
gritting their teeth at the same time. I have made 
ghosts by cutting eyes and a mouth in a pumpkin, 
placing a light in it and swinging it so that it would 
move around. Some people may be telling about 
that ghost yet, and it has been twenty years since 
I cut the teeth in the last pumpkin. 

Having taken an active part in their manufacture 
at one time, it would be hard for anybody to excite 
me with a ghost story, BECAUSE THERE ARE 
NO GHOSTS. 

BUT I HAVE DISCOVERED A BEAUTIFUL 
TRUTH, NOT A THEORY. So that there can be 
no misunderstanding as to my position, — I will 
give a brief explanation of how I discovered the 
phenomenon. The first that I knew about it was 
about a year ago, when through the Medium powers 
of Mrs. Elizabeth Blake, of Proctorville, Ohio, I 
conversed with my father, mother, son and several 
other people that I knew and recognized. 

Then I first learned to converse with departed 
friends through a code. Information received 
through the code is just as reliable as that re- 
ceived through any other method of communication. 

A BEAUTIFUL TRUTH. 

In the beginning of my experience, I could get 
results by sitting in the dark what some times 
seemed hours to me. The power was very weak. 
I was so elated and my interest so great that I 
encountered some experiences that the child would 



70 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

in learning to walk. I might have been content, 
being a child, until I knew my alphabet. And if this 
apology is not satisfactory to the public it will have 
to wait further development. 

Then everything became so real and lifelike, that 
it was like talking and associating with earthly 
friends, as I could talk with them through the code 
and by impression and through psychiG writing. 
Then when I began to see visions and hear voices 
and learn music and songs through the power, I 
could no longer resist the influences that were thrown 
around me. I know who to consult nowadays in 
matters of importance. 

Since our friends' description of their new heavenly 
home sounds reasonable and is in accord with nature 
I am more inclined to believe them right, and have 
sufficient reason to place more confidence in their 
judgment, as they are evidently more familiar with 
conditions in their sphere than is any fiction writer, 
and it grants to us the privilege of dismissing from 
our minds all creeds, isms, faiths, beliefs, and 
dogmas, takes away the doubts and fears, gamble, 
and speculation, — and while I feel that I have no 
moral right to contradict what they tell me, I 
shall write and speak out fearlessly whatever 
information that I receive worth giving out to the 
world. 



WHAT I SAW AND HEARD. 

On the morning of May 18th, 1915, I seen some- 
thing that impressed me deeply. In my rambling 



TAMING MAN 71 

in a strange country, I met with some people and 
two lions. The lions and people were mixed up 
together about like we would mix up with pet cats. 

The lions looked dangerous to me — and I felt 
very much out of place in that society, and was 
afraid. 

When one of the lions began to sniff around me, I 
became very much excited and spoke to the keeper 
in a commanding voice, to look after them dangerous 
brutes. 

He placed his hand on the animals' heads with the 
intention to impress me of their gentleness; but 
when one of them placed its nose in my mother's 
face, and began to pull and chew at some part of her 
dress, I commanded the keeper again to take care 
and take no chance with the lions, and felt if my 
mother was injured I would take my revenge out on 
the keeper. 

They seeing my fear and excitement, the lions sat 
down by the side of my mother, and smiled as 
pleasantly as a young lady when her best man was 
around. My mother smiled and I smiled. I was 
embarrassed and felt out of place. 

This was intended to impress me with how much 
out of place I would be in that strange country 
if we could be kidnapped and rushed into that 
tame society before we had an opportunity to 
change our physical body and carnal mind; in 
other words, before we had time to dress or undress. 

Our friends advise us that there are no animals 
in that faraway country ; if there was, we would want 
to take our guns and knife with us, and the first 
thing we would want to do would be to start out 
killing. One writer has given an account of wars 



72 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

over there, another speaks of the governments, 
another of libraries. 

Can't we get away from the artificial: these 
claims are incorrect and misleading. If it's fiction 
why not compel the Author to state so, — instead 
of confusing the people. 

We are not debating whether or not life of lower 
animals continue to exist after the death of the body, 
but we believe when our friends who are qualified 
to advise us, tell us that they are not associated 
with animals, the statement is correct. Life over 
there is gentle, there is nothing that we need fear, 
and everything gets a square deal. 

Would not feed a family of children on the milk 
and butter from old Piny for fifteen years, then 
cut her throat and sell her for young steak to be 
cut up in slices and fried on a hot griddle — we 
will leave our gun and knife here. 

I was also impressed with the wonderful physical 
strength of the people — that a man could crush 
the skull of a lion as easily as we would the head 
of a mouse. 

I am advised that the strength of a man or a 
woman who have reached the higher spheres, is 
about two hundred and forty-seven times that 
of ours. 



LETTER FROM BROTHER MATISON. 

The following communication received from 
my brother, Matison Morris, whom I thought 
had died about fourteen years ago. 

It was almost a year after the death of my body, 
before it began to dawn on me that some strange 



TAMING MAN 73 

phenomenon in nature, had brought about wonder- 
derful changes, that I could not understand. I 
knew what was going on around me, could see 
people moving around and talking as they did on 
earth. I could feel no pain, and my appetite for 
food and drink was supplied supernaturally. I 
was not happy, and felt an unpleasant and an 
uneasy feeling. I thought that I had died; in fact 
seemed to realize this from the time my spirit left 
the earthly body. 

My feeble effort to think and solve a mystery that 
I could not understand, no doubt, aided me in 
gaining strength. This mystery, the people of 
earth possessed of a knowledge of science, can not 
fathom. Only the experienced know. And we 
are unable to explain. Our knowledge of natural 
law, compared with the knowledge of the best 
educated men of earth, is like comparing a mother's 
knowledge with that of a nursing babe. 

As you are aware an attack of scarlet fever when 
I was a child left me deficient in some ways, deformed 
in body, my sight, speech and hearing was affected. 
At the beginning of the second year, I was entirely 
rational. How glad, how delighted I was to know 
that I had taken on a new body, and all my defects 
had been healed. There is nothing artificial over 
here. 

We never forget anything. Spheres are measured 
by knowledge and knowledge is strength. Believing 
something without evidence or through faith, proves 
nothing and demonstrates weakness. 

You might believe that through belief and faith in 
a certain doctrine you will shun a hell and gain a 
heaven. In fact all churches are founded on belief 



74 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

and faith, that line of thought is childish. The 
bible propagators were more ignorant of the world's 
foundation than the people of this generation whose 
minds are open to reason and who have the courage 
to delve into the supposed mysteries in nature. The 
bible is a vague history, some of which is about 
correct, but that amounts to nothing — other 
history is more correct and the errors in the bible 
are many; it teaches a mythical foundation. It is 
believed by a part of the people that it has done a 
great good in the world, but instead it has done a 
great harm. It is not the word of God; the word 
of God is not recorded in any book. It is unfair to 
impose its doctrine on the people as a truth. 

The theory of man's creation as taught by Chris- 
tian believers, is not true; we have a way of knowing 
all truth. And we know an untruth as easy as we 
know a truth — and there is no need of people 
blindly groping in darkness as we can know your 
future as well as the past. The time is not far off 
when the people will know these mighty truths; 
when educational institutions will teach science and 
the protests of ignorance will have no weight. 
The people of earth speak of a spirit world. There 
is no such place as a spirit world. If we are not in 
Heaven, then, there is no Heaven. No abnormal 
baby that the bible writers imagined, had anything 
to do with the making of this beautiful and de- 
lightful place that we will term Heaven, the Home of 
the soul, by the consent of the Priest-preachers 
and Jonah teachers of earth. 

You can kill the body, but you can't kill the soul ! 
That is life: It is this intelligence that is giving to 
you this information through your phenomenal 
power! 



TAMING MAN 75 

Why waste time strewing flowers on the grave of 
your loved ones. Do all that you can to drive out 
superstition, and strew your flowers in the paths of 
the people of earth while they are alive. The 
bodies of our departed friends will never be resur- 
rected. Heaven will never have any need for dead 
bodies, and that "Great Day" that you sing about 
will never come. No judge. We have no need of 
a Judge to pronounce sentences for the deeds done in 
the body: there is no power on earth, in Heaven 
or in hell that could remove or interfere with the 
people of Heaven. It is as natural for us to know this 
as it is to know any other truth. 

The Judgment Day is an imagination that will 
never become real. If the Christians want it that 
way, don't worry about that, you have no time to 
waste around cemeteries; go right on teaching the 
truth, and when they talk to you about the sins of 
the body, ask what body. People should not 
care anything about what punishment is inflicted 
on their dead bones and decayed flesh. 

The natural evolution that healed me and brought 
me to my mind gradually, is strengthening me, and 
leading me on and on; and supernatural knowledge 
gives us access to nature's library, and on natural 
evolution is founded Heaven and Earth, all the 
Systems and Solar Systems. When the people 
understand this mighty truth, the clouds of 
ignorance will disappear, and truth will become 
master and king. 

Walter Matison Morris. 



MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN. 

The following message is from my son Ray, who 
died at Weston, W. Va., when he was a child, 
fifteen years ago. He says, I am speaking to you 
in my child voice, because you would not recognize 
my natural voice. I am seventeen years old, 
and according to your measurement of weight, I 
weigh about 135 pounds, and have a deep, heavy 
voice, and in the future I will speak to you in my 
natural voice. 

This information is important, because it proves 
the theory of evolution, and in reality disproves 
universally established theories that the people 
of earth ought to know about. 

Can you conceive of anything more delightful 
than to know that your loved ones whom you 
thought dead, are alive and through your power, 
converse with, laugh and joke with you, as they did 
when associated with you in the flesh — to know 
that it is well with them, and that you have for all 
time dismissed from your mind, false, foolish ideas, 
beliefs and doctrines? 

How your soul rejoiced when you discovered this 
most beautiful truth, — and to know that you have 
the gamble of life taken away, and the future is no 
longer speculation and that you are in a position 
to do a wonderful work that is so badly needed in 
the world, it seems to me is all that any earthly 
mortal could expect. 

We are glad that you have decided to teach the 



TAMING MAN 77 

truth. To know the truth and then be too cowardly 
to tell it to those who are in the dark would be a 
crime on your part. 

It is this truth that is going to revolutionize the 
world's governments, and place it on a basis of 
facts. Most people believe we are just spirits; 
spirits could not exist without a body. Spirit don't 
have weight: just a spirit would not need to eat. 
We are people — but we don't have wings. You 
speak of a spirit world, and confuse matters and 
have things in horrible disorder. The question is 
often asked if we are in the spirit world, happy 
and content with our lot; we naturally agree with 
you, because you have suggested that your edu- 
cation has taught you that there is a spirit world and 
we don't volunteer to correct your error, but the 
people can learn the truth when their minds are 
trained to grasp it. You speak of a country, the 
home of the soul, with mansions, and sing of the 
city of the New Jerusalem, of rubies and diadems, 
and you probably have imagined a city with walls 
around it, with gates of pearl, paved streets, and 
other artificial arrangements. This imagination 
with primitive man, was not so unreasonable, but 
in this age you must not believe it because it is 
childish and is untrue. 

Teach the people that this is a world called 
Heaven. That there are no Judges and Kings that 
they need fear. And the earth and Heaven and the 
system and solar systems are founded on natural 
law, and evolution. 

EVOLUTION. Is the law of Heaven. Was it 
not true, I would have always remained a child. 
We have a natural sun, natural lakes of water, 



78 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

the earth is carpeted with natural flowers, natural 
fruits, about five thousand different varieties of 
grapes, but there are never more than one variety 
growing on a vine. 

Our principal diet is fruit. We have five hours of 
night every hundred hours. But it is never dark, 
and birds of wonderful beauty, and of more colors 
than you know anything about. There can never 
be sickness, pain nor death over here. 

Many people will believe that what you are 
writing is a contradiction of the word of God. 

Take no notice of that, no man has ever heard nor 
read the word of God and never will. The claim 
that Christ was the son of God is false. Write down 
these truths as you receive them and we will stand 
responsible and back your fight. 

If we had no interest in the people of earth, 
we would not need to combat ignorance. Our 
interest is mutual. Because you are my father, 
is not the reason that we are working through you. 
It is because of your Phenomenon Powers, and your 
mind purged from superstition and falsehood, and 
your disposition to work for the adjustment of the 
wrongs, and the establishing of truth. 



SAINT JOHN'S DREAMS IN REVELATIONS, 
OR FACTS, WHICH FOR YOU? 

How many sermons have you heard preached 
from Revelations? Unless church going is one of 



TAMING MAN 79 

your hobbies, you may not have heard any. I 
at least hope you are familiar with the book of 
Revelations, if you are not there is danger of you 
being classed with Atheists and Infidels and de- 
nounced as a heathen ; — if you are either, you must 
be a very bad man; — but it can be no less sacrile- 
gious for the African to worship gods of stone and 
wood than for boasted and spoiled Christian 
nations to worship imaginery Gods. And the 
display of intelligence with one is as great as the 
other. 

In Revelations it is thought that St. John has 
given a beautiful description of Heaven — and 
portrayed the excellent character and disposition of 
a loving heavenly father. 

Now John, is saying to the seven churches of Asia, 
several things in sevens; he saw several funny 
things and says several funny things. 

Beginning with the first chapter, which reads: 
the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto 
him to shew unto his servants things which must 
shortly come to pass. 

And he sent and signified it by his angel unto his 
servant John. And in the third verse we are 
again warned that the time is at hand. The bible 
inventors have caused John to say that God says 
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end- 
ing saith the Lord. 

At the time John says he heard and saw these 
things he was in the Isle called Patmos. 

In the tenth verse he says I was in the spirit on 
the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice as 
of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the 
first and the last : and, What thou sees't write in a 



80 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

book. And send it unto the seven churches which 
are in Asia; then he says, I turned to see the voice 
which spake with me, and being turned, I saw seven 
golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven 
candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man, clothed 
with a garment down to the foot, and girt about 
the paps with a golden girdle. 

His head and his hairs was white like wool, as 
white as snow, and his eyes were as flames of fire; 
and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned 
in, a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many 
waters. John is describing what is supposed to be 
the Omnipotent, Son of Man. John must have 
been very much excited, for in the seventeenth 
verse he acknowledges that he fell at his feet like 
dead. And he says this man that slipped up behind 
him and yelled at him through a trumpet, and 
talked to him like bubbling water, with fiery eyes 
and metal feet, told him that he, this man, held the 
keys of hell and death ; then John calls our attention 
to the several attractive promises, that this man that 
scared him so badly made to those who feared him 
and lived up to the teachings of the holy word, 
The promise that he made to the Woman Jezebel" 
he would kill her children with death. 

And that all the churches shall know that I am he 
who searcheth the reigns of the heart. And to he 
that overcometh and keepeth my word to the end — 
will I give power, over the nations. To others 
he promised precious stones, with strange names on 
them. Then he describes the beasts that he saw 
before the throne of God. As having eyes before 
and behind, one resembled a lion, one a calf, one a 
man, and one an eagle. And the beasts each had 



TAMING MAN 81 

six wings about them, and they were full of eyes 
within, and the beast was saying: holy, holy, 
Lord God Almighty. 

Then he saw a book in which was kept the record 
of those who believe the bible to be the word of God, 
and John wept because he found none worthy to 
open the book. 

AH! What a humiliating, embarrassing position. 
In the presence of all those beautiful beasts, solemnly 
standing before the Throne of God. But, lo, and 
behold, a great warrior, a great, good man of God, 
he who believed whatever was written about Jahew, 
whether it was good or bad, right or wrong, whoever 
was the author. David is believed to have accepted 
it as the word of God, and his belief and faith com- 
bined with his war record qualified him to open 
the book. David's posterity: the slaughterer of 
mothers and children, the butcherer, was the only 
man found worthy to open the book and read. 

Read again the description of St. John's and the 
Christian's Heaven in Revelations. In the light of 
reason : ask yourself these questions : 

Who built the city of the New Jerusalem? What 
kind of material is used in its construction, and why 
were precious stones inlaid in the walls of the 
mansions; who mined the gold, and smelted it, 
shaped it in squares and paved the streets? Who 
built the walls around the city; for what purpose is 
the wall? What about the gates of pearl? Who 
carved the pearl and shaped, and hung the gates? 
In the light of reason would it not require an army 
of skilled laborers to do all this ? 

Would it not require a great army of bookkeepers 
to write down the names of this innumerable army 



82 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

of Christian believers, and as many to erase the 
names from the books as we fall by the wayside, 
and deny and denounce the bible, as we become 
converted to reason and rationalism? In the light 
of reason, should we not expect that our friends who 
are carpenters and architects, and masons, and 
bookkeepers would have something to do with 
paving the streets, and the building of the mansions 
for occupancy, for those of us who keep the word 
and join the church and go to Sunday School, and 
pay the preacher, for thundering into our system 
every Sunday, this nightmare, and propounding the 
scriptures, that we might know, just why it was that 
those beasts had more than their share of wings, 
and so many eyes within and without, and honorat- 
ing David for murder and massacre, and defending 
slave drivers, vindicating a group of men for their 
indecency and cruelty, because of the claims that 
it is written in the book that is wrongfully and 
ignorantly termed the word of an all wise and 
merciful God? 

Is it any wonder that we believe in an artificial 
Heaven, and expect to walk the golden streets, 
wear crowns, play on golden harps, expecting to see 
a King and stand before a Judge, lounge in richly 
furnished parlors, play on pianos, drive auto- 
mobiles, dress in linen, silk and satin? Is there 
anything strange about it that we have swallowed 
the whale and the beast's eyes, wings, hide and 
hair? 

Believe in Miracles? Certainly. Believe in 
brimstone hells? Certainly. Believe the sun 
stood still for Joshua? Certainly. Why didn't 
he command the EARTH to stand? still Why, 
that's none of our business. 



RACE DEGENERACY. 

Mothers, you should hide away this chapter from 
your daughters, because it treats on a very delicate 
subject and exposes one of societies' pet evils and 
lifts the black curtain of secrecy and ignorance, 
and invites a peep into the dangerous abyss of race 
degeneracy. 

I do not need to write about the danger and 
contagion of Smallpox, Scarlet Fever and Bubonic 
Plague. Their contamination is so feared that all 
civilized countries compel a rigid quarantine. 
Science has given to us an instrument which is 
knowledge, to combat disease. 

"Smallpox," this once dreaded disease, through 
the medical profession and vaccination, has become 
so mild that the patient continues to eat his three 
meals a day during quarantine and the per cent of 
casualties, has been reduced to a minimum. 

A man who would deliberately infect society with 
the scab and pus of Smallpox, would be liable to 
indictment and prosecution. When the rodent had 
hid behind a bunch of bananas without the con- 
sent of the captain of the ship, crossed the Gulf 
and made his escape in New Orleans, and spread 
the disease among the people of that coast city, 
there was great alarm and the excitement became 
intense. Experts were sent by the Government to 
advise and aid in the control of the plague. 

The state and city officials issued a proclamation, 
declaring war on rats. Anyone who showed 



84 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

symptoms of the plague under diagnosis were 
guarded, and the result was, the plague was wiped 
out, and the South may never permit another ocean 
freighter to drop anchor at her wharf until the 
boat is searched and the health of the crew looked 
into. 

But in every city in the land, there are men, 
women, boys and girls in great number whose blood 
has become poisoned with disease so loathsome, 
that to speak the name, brings a blush of shame to 
the face of modesty. 

Because of slack law and inefficiency of legislation, 
the false face of society, the humiliation in exposure, 
the vulgar mind, the innocence of some and the 
ignorance of Sexiology, — is a guarantee of race 
deterioration. 

So long as there is no moral standard, whereby 
men, women, boys and girls can guard against un- 
equal and improper marriage there will be a con- 
tinuation of imbecile and deformed children, born 
at a dangerously increasing rate. 

Religious societies and reformers, preach against 
the evils of the Red Light District, the continuous 
bombarding whiffs out the lights, the fallen girls 
are driven from place to place, the Divine and 
church, that forced them on the street, are not 
in the business of finding them homes and employ- 
ment. 

They have played their hand, when the girls 
were put on the bum. A sane or practical remedy 
has not been outlined and put into execution by 
the Religionists. 

We are not excusing the Crimson Girl, yet how 
innocent is her crime of Commercialism compared 



TAMING MAN 85 

with the crime of bringing into the world, children 
deficient in body and mind and the part of the play- 
that is responsible for Race Degeneracy. 

If there was a National Law, better still an 
International Law, requiring men and women to 
undergo an examination and measure up to a 
healthy standard before they can be legally married 
and requiring medical doctors to report to the health 
department those whoever is detected with in- 
oculating disease, there would be some hope for 
checking the nauseating cancer and healing the 
tainted blood. 

But so long as the monster is secretly concealed 
in high and low society it will continue to feed on 
the vitality of the human race and its contamination 
will tell on this and coming generations, and we will 
become a people of Imbeciles and poisoned blood. 



EUROPE'S DOUBLE STANDARD. 

Europe's impotency will come first, because of 
her system of drafting and compelling the able- 
bodied young men to fight their wars. 

And when we see mere children drilling and being 
trained and educated to fight America's future 
wars, we fear for the people of the United States. 

The inconsistency of the theory of some noted 
scientists and writers to make no distinction between 
the lower and higher animal, life, is detected with 
regret by many who seem to better understand the 



86 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

changes that are coming, and the readjustment of 
conditions. The big fish eat the small fish is true 
with the fish. It is also true in this sense of the 
word with people, — the strong conquer the weak. 

Was it not true — the waters of earth would 
become thick and slimy with Fish, Sharks, Eels, 
Crocodiles, creeping and splashing life, that would 
make it impossible for a ship to cross the ocean. 

Destroy the bird life and insects will take pos- 
session — destroy all vegetable life, feed on man's 
carcass, and drive mankind from the face of the 
earth. Kill no poison snakes for a generation and 
it would not be safe for man to venture in the fields 
and woods. 

The finny tribe and insect life is no more in- 
telligent, the instinct as extinct as it was six thousand 
years ago. And while we, by custom, environ and 
force of habit, have learned to look upon the de- 
struction of life as a commercial proposition and a 
legitimate business, — the human family is being 
educated. 

And while there was a family of twelve and 
fifteen with our grandfathers, there were ten or 
twelve children at our fathers' home and now the 
average family is five and the average will drop to 
four, three, two, and then one. 

Then it will be a problem of populating the earth 
instead of depopulating and thinning out by wars and 
other destructive methods. It has come to this 
the greatest burden now rests with the poor and 
illiterate. 

With them children come entirely too fast, — and 
their hardships and struggles are almost unbearable. 

While with the rich, babies are few and it is the 
aristocracy that howls for wars. That spirit that 



TAMING MAN 87 

assails the motherhood and accuses her of un- 
patriotism because she don't take delight in caring 
for a large family and taking on herself the burdens 
and cares of motherhood, is unworthy the recogni- 
tion of mothers. 

Rest assured; that it is the average animal spirit 
that is counting on future wars ; — and he might 
learn how to determine the sex of the unborn chil- 
dren and introduce a bill in Congress making it 
compulsory with mothers and fathers to raise and 
train boys for the army. Until we have found a way 
to improve the blood and strengthen the human 
race and to eliminate poverty — it is a BLACK 
HANDED DAMNABLE CRIME to make our- 
selves responsible for an unnecessary increase 
in childbirth. 

We stand a better show in America — because we 
make a fair stagger toward electing men to high 
office by the voice of the people. 

While in most European countries ruling offices 
are inherited. For centuries; — Europe has been 
ruled by heritage, and in the Royal Families, 
are evidence of tainted blood and insanity. 

For a correct history of Europe's insane rulers, 
consult Dr. C. Astor Palmer and when you are 
familiar with the history, you can better understand 
why that country has run war mad. 

Suppose an Imbecile should inherit the Kingship ? 



THE FLYING DEVIL. 

Among the mean devices 
Conceived by human mind 

For meeting all the crises 
And keeping with the time. 



88 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

Are battle planes and mistles, 
Bombs, guns and gases, too 
And devilish things that whistle 
That kill for the devil's crew. 

Things that chew, hiss and growl: 
Throw slugs of iron and steel: 

That sing and scream and howl 
But none that think nor feel. - 

Flying squadrons float in air, 
With darts and devilish things 

With reckless passion kill and dare 
Like devils on the wing. 

We sneak around both night and day: 
With firm intent to kill 

The sick at prayer, the child at play: 
A worldly pride to thrill. 

But we dislike to waste our time 
And money on small game: 

But to do so is not a crime, 
And kill it just the same. 

'Tis devilish fun to shoot gases, 
And hear those devils yell: 

Who are fighting for the classes: 
Just for the sake of hell. 

And pump poison gases in their eye 
And fill their heart with lead: 

To torture men until they die 
Then smash them on the head. 



TAMING MAN 89 

We throw our bombs near the trenches 

Where those poor devils stay 
Who contrived a scheme of barbed fences 

That checked our march one day. 

They strewed kinky, thorny wire 

And took us on surprise; 
Caught us knapping in thick of fire 

Like devils in disguise. 

Now who'd a thought men had a heart 

To do such sneaking things 
Since 'tis the game we'll do our part, 

We'll shoot them on the wing. 

We will cripple, cut and slay: 

With Krupp and gattling gun: 
And show war devils how to play 

The game of war for fun. 

And when it comes to pulling of! 

A howling glorious stunt 
At our progress you dare not scoff — 

We're HELL on a big man hunt. 

And when it comes to a count of head 

And measuring blood in pail, 
By old hunters it is said 

That's just what tells the tale. 

But what the devil it's all about 
There's dam few soldiers know: 

I'm about all in for this old scout 
I believe you think it's so. 



90 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

But if you like to drink hot blood 
Don't you murmer — nor complain — 

We're going to have it understood 
You imps shall fight the game. 

A bloody battle we fought today, 

With guillotine and gun 
One old lobster began to pray, 

I told the coward to run. 

I'm tellin' you hell's no place to pray: 

For God's not foolin' around 
Such damnable sights as that today 

Where such as we are found. 

Now when I cut the throats of steer 

Get hardened to the sight, 
At their bellerin' I did not keer, 

I thought the thing was right. 

But gitten drunk at this damn game 

And Swimmen in the flood, 
I b'lev I'm mad less I'm insane 

At drinkin' human blood. 

Now stop right thar; I'll get your goat 
For sure; you're thinkin' right: 

I learn, you're with me in this war boat, 
And ready for the fight. * 



You fine people hatched this lie — 
That made a brute of me 

'Tis your old game; you can't deny: 
The subject you plainly see. 



TAMING MAN 

Don't feel fainty, don't be skeered, 

It's PATRIOTIC game; 
But some folks never keered 

For fight or manly fame. 

What's that your caryen on that pole, 
You don't look good to me, 

I'll take this chance to send your soul 
To, to where it ought to be. 

Hold captian, see this white flag? 

'Tis sure the flag of truce: 
I'm too hardened for that old gag, 

Such things I have no use. 

In days gone by when folks were sane 
Such rags as that would do: 

This stage it's a different game — 
I'll shoot the darn thing through. 

I'm here to say train loads of men 

And mothers on the sly: 
Are driven out o'er hill and fen, 

And left alone to die. 

Your right old pal give me your hand : 
We've nothin' to fight about: 

I've no enemy, no home nor land, 
Weel' let em fight it out. 

Stay your sword — less strike for peace: 
The world will plaud our scheme: 

Such as this grow with increase: 
I'm sick at this damn game. 



91 



92 



AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 



Down goes my sword — less hear your plan 

See if the scheme will work: 
If twill ' I'm with you heart and hand: 

I'm not the kind to shirk. 



Truce man 



When all men 
lay down 
arms: the 
dawn of 
peace: 

The millions 
refuse to 
obey. 



There's nothin' to it, except to strike: 

Strike, all soldiers everywhere: 
I mean us chaps who do the fight 

To please the snappy cur. 

Your' talken right, it shall be done 

Weel' have it all our way: 
We have the navy, sword and gun; 

And sure we'll have our day. 

Kaiser king, and the lords of earth 
Are shocked with astonishing maze: 

A mad world smiles with new birth 
And — on a new — sun — we — gaze — 

FIGHT ON MY MEN AND WIN THE DAY: 

Was the authorative stern command: 
Among the millions none dared obey 
For sure and we held the hand. 



Just as I 
seen in a 
vision. 



Seen them 
in a pool 
of blood. 



AH; the wealth destroyed blood was shed: 
That should have been preserved: 

I — see — millions of useless dead: 
And the folly they have served. 

Those poor souls must be in hell: 

I'm sure they are all insane: 
A sight like this no tongue can tell: 

I'm sorry and should feel ashame. 



TAMING MAN 



93 



If they are 
rewarded 
it must be 
here not 
after death. 

Just as I 
seen it. 



But what do 
we offer as a 
compromise 
with the dead. 
Nothing that 
we can say or 
do will cool 
the hot basin 
of blood. 



Heaven save us from such cruel fate: 

They fight like fiends insane: 
'Tis claimed was for the country sake 

And pride and manly fame. 

HORROR, HORROR, look how they splash, 

In basins of red hot blood, 
CAVALRY, ARMY, how mad they dash; 

They swim in crimson flood. 

And on this earth all is well: 

The reign of peace is begun: 
And by the strike the devil fell 

And not — by — sword — nor gun. 

How dare you kaisers, lords and king 

The people souls did sell: 
Of your freedom dare to sing 

When for the sake of hell. 

You plunge the world in a pool of blood: 

With false and foolish pride: 
And in your Satanic insane mood, 

A god: you claim for guide. 

Explanation. 

When I had written the first sixteen verses^of 
this poem I thought it was finished, but my spirit 
friends insisted that I continue. 

I became careless about it and the next morning 
I seen the portrail of the horrors of the hell of war. 
Men in a state of insanity, wild eyed fighting in 
a lake of blood. 



" 



94 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

I saw armies and cavalry dashing madly through 
this lake of blood. Was I an artist, I could waste 
years — in an effort to portray the horrors of this 
scene. I hope to never see anything that resembles 
that gruesome picture. 

I might have taken a longer rest, but no man with 
a soul could sleep who had been permitted to see 
and feel as I did. 

Blood drenched soldiers by the thousands in- 
terceding with me to continue my fight to free the 
mad insane world. 

I placed my fingers in my ears closed my eyes 
hoping to get away from that awful specter which 
added more horror and terror to the scene. Mothers 
and daughters by the hundreds came to me with 
tears rolling down their cheeks ringing their hands 
and pulling their hair pleading with me to continue 
my fight. 

I sprang to the table, tears rolling down my face, 
picked up my pen and commenced to write, and the 
scene faded away. 

And this is one of the reasons why I shall, in 
spite of protests from those of my friends who would 
discourage me, continue to write and talk and do 
what I can to tame the savage spirit in man's 
breast. Take the husbands, sons and fathers 
away from the battle-fields and give them back to 
the fair womanhood of this our native land who 
are entitled to our protection and the companion- 
ship of father, son and sweetheart. 



THE CHIMPANZEE AND MAN. 

Educated Monkeys. 

Tis said I am an old chimpanzee, 
Said Peter so nice and proud: 
Tricks I'll show you like to see 
To amuse this gawking crowd. 

Then his cycle he led around, 

And shoved it to and fro: 

Walked and stamped upon the ground, 

Says, "Master, I'd like to know: 

Is this darn thing propelled by steam? 
Or will Peter have to tread, 
And will I sit down in between 
Those things you call the tread." 

He gripped firmly the handle bar 
And spun around the curve. 
Of all the monkeys 'twas said, by far, 
Old Peter had the nerve. 

He sat straight up in his seat 

And ped with all his might; 

With this monkey none could compete, 

His tricks were out of sight. 

He sped it up a steep incline, 
Then turned and rode it back; 
For an amateur he sure was fine 
At performance on the track. 



96 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

Then Consul came and bowed his head: 
Dressed up just like we, 
Says, "Look how I this needle thread 
You folks that can not well see." 

1 'Consul's had but little show," 
Says Peter looking stern, 
"So many things he wants to know 
And tries so hard to learn." 

But you folks who hate to see 
Our foreheads filling out, 
And with John Monkey can't agree, 
Don't know what you're about. 

And if we put it good and strong, 
Go back to ancient day, 
You'll find this monkey not far wrong, 
When'er this monkey say. 

That in the envolving of nature's hand 
When from some tiny mite, 
Came mamels, monkeys, then came man 
And put the cowards to flight. 



OUR VENTURE ON THE SEA. 
How the Captain took the Girl. 

Ne'er shall I forget that sunny day 
When we strolled along the shore, 

Watched albatross and sea gull play, 
While the gulf we did explore. 



TAMING MAN 97 

The sea was smooth the air was clear, 

The sun was warm and bright, 
And for the venture we had no fear, 

There was not a cloud in sight. 

Sails were floating here and there 

Proud ships were passing by, 
And we were tempted to think it fair, 

To take a little fly. 

We seen the gulls floating around, 

And courting on the sly, 
Their echo had a cheerful sound: 

We felt that we should try 

To imitate those playful birds, 

That floated on the sea, 
That hovered around in numerous herds, 

And seem to all agree. 

And when we hailed a fine old ship 
That now was passing through, 

Old cap, smiled, and cap did tip, 
To see what we would do. 

We told the captain if he didn't care 

We'd like to join his crowd. 
"Reverse the engine; stop her there;" 

He yelled so coarse and loud. 

And when they had taken us atow, 

They eyed us suspiciously: 
They were curious then to know 

If we were on a spree. 



98 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

When we had told the story well, 

Of our venture on the sea, 
The captain smiled, but to it fell 

And threw the blame on me. 

Told the Captain I'd foot the bill 

If he'd allow us to stay awhile: 
He vowed it was against his will, 

But he liked my friendly smile. 

But the captain knew what made me smile 

For smiling is not my game: 
And he kept grinning all the while, 

For him I felt ashame. 

But I discovered that it wasn't me 
That the captain was interested in, 

For it did not take me long to see 
That the whiskers on his chin 

Had received some bran new paint, 

That made them look like new; 
And his breath had a sweeter taint, 

So said this little Lieu. 

Then I watched him in disguise, 

To see what he would do: 
When he kissed her I was surprised, 

And wondered to at Lieu. 

One night we courted in the light of the moon 

While sailing through the sound: 
It was a delightful place to spoon, 

When the captain wasn't around. 



TAMING MAN 99 

Then the day begin to break, 

Down in that splashing sound, 
Creeping monsters begin to wake 

And whirl the water round, 

Then when the porpoise began to play 

And tumble o'er and o'er, 
With seaman smile old cap would say, 

"We're a hell of a way from shore." 

Swell his chest and look so fine 

And strong tobacco burn, 
Fill the cup and pour the wine, 

And say "you've hell-of-a-lot to learn." 

And when I found he had the girl 

Straight to the shore I went: 
And when my head begin to whirl, 

I knew what the captain meant. 



A VISION OF LIGHT. 

As I SAW IT THROUGH A PHENOMENON POWER. 

Long in the silent, sleeping night 
When all the world seemed still, 

There came to me a vision of light 
That filled my soul with thrill. 



100 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

I seen the world in steady pace, 

Marching along the way. 
Characteristic of the race, 

When I to her did say. 

This procession it seems to me, 
Is traveling most by guess: 

Most lonesome, it seems to me, 
I'm willing to confess. 

Now can't you see how I'm alone 

Most of a different sphere, 
No sweeter ending the sun ne'er shone, 

And the way is smooth and clear. 

She ventured closer to the brink, 
Of a gulf that seemed so wide 

And for a moment her heart did sink, 
As she watched the ebbing tide. 

Others ventured and took a peep, 

While passing to and fro, 
The way seemed dence, the water deep, 

And danger in its flow. 

Then as she watched the passersby, 

With an intelligent smile 
She seemed to grasp the reason why 

Then waited for awhile. 

A while ago, t'was hard for me 

I could not see my way, 
But now with you I must agree, 

I then to her did say. 



• TAMING MAN 101 

Reach me your trembling hand, 

I need you in my life 
This is my soul's command, 

This is a friend's advise. 

Then she wondered how it could be 

And how I'd pave the way, 
If she could cross this strange sea, 

She felt that she could stay. 

Then when she traveled with me awhile, 

The debris cleared away: 
Her heart was light, and in her smile, 

Her soul to me would say. 

While sailing down life's rocking sea 

And drifting with the tide 
I'll kiss the rose you gave to me 

And stay right by your side. 

Her beauty, inspired my soul, 

She strewed flowers, along the way, 

Helped its secret buds unfold, 
And the barriers to burn away. 

It is life wonderfully real: 

To know the secret mind: 
The passion of the heart to feel, 

And leave the world behind. 

For in its false, insane mood, 

And ignorant myth and pride, 
War and death we brood, 

Our ship of state to guide. 



102 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

And while she's rocking in her fright 
And plunging to and fro, 

We'll throw out a beacon light, 
And let the captian know. 

If he would land the ship of state 
And save its beardless crew, 

To change its course ere 'tis too late 
The storms are beating through. 



COMMENT ON THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 
LESSON. 
TURNING THE TABLET OVER. 

For the benefit of those who are not in the habit 
of studying the Sunday School Lesson, as well as 
for the benefit of those who are in the habit of 
reading them, but who have never seen the other 
side of the subject; I have copied the International 
Lesson, as it was taught. (Augus t 29, 1915.) 
It is expected that the lesson be accepted as facts, 
without any serious consideration, — as it is uni- 
versally accepted as about correct by the churches. 

We will take it for granted that you would like 
to buy a good sound horse with certain qualifi- 
cations; or a good family cow. He must be a good 
driving horse and able to do the chores on the farm. 
Mr. Jones, a prominent man in your community, 
tells you that he has just the kind of an animal that 
you need. 

Jones having the reputation of being honest, 



TAMING MAN 103 

truthful and reliable, expects everybody to accept 
his word as he is considered authority. Jones' 
price for the horse is Two Hundred Dollars. Says, 
"If you want the horse at that price, I will send him 
over." 

Now if you believe in transacting business, 
according to business methods, you will say, "Jones 
— not that I have reason to doubt your honesty and 
judgment, but I make it a rule to test out everything 
before I enter into a contract." 

Jones says, "Well, brother, that is all right, 
but you know that I wouldn't deceive you for the 
world." You will refuse Jones' offer till you have 
personally inspected the animal. 

Then you discover that the horse has some bad 
blemishes — and you call Jones' attention to it; 
Jones says, "Now brother, I have not had the 
horse long; I bought the animal on the word of my 
neighbor Dolph, and supposed the animal to be 
sound." 

Jones goes over to his neighbor and says, "Dolph, 
— I discovered some blemishes on the horse that I 
bought of you. You told me the animal was sound. 
I came near selling him to my neighbor on a guaran- 
tee, — but he came over, being a good judge of 
horses, called my attention to the blemish; I will 
return to you the horse, and would like you to give 
back the money that I paid you." 

Dolph says, "Surely, you are mistaken about 
that, brother, the man that I bought the horse from 
told me that the horse was sound, and I have 
believed him to be a good honest Christian gen- 
tleman." And Dolph excuses himself on the 
ground that a man's eyes is his market. 

If you are a shrewd business man, you will look 



104 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

into all matters pertaining to business and religions 
before you write them all down in the memory of 
your mind, as facts. 

Now let us turn the tablet over and see if we can 
discover anything worth considering on the other 
side. It is said we have had a sample of Kings, 
good and bad — .and are not asked to consider the 
life of another King until the end of October. 

Among the several Kings, the Christians have 
their favorites. All along, I have only dealt with 
those Kings and Rulers, universally acknowledged 
the Christians' favorites. Elijah and Elisha are the 
Christians' ideals. 

Are to have seven lessons on Elijah and Elisha. 
I see the injustice in saddling these men off on the 
public as Christian Ideals and great men of God. 
I am anxious to have the people study the character 
of these Bible Heroes, in the light of reason. 

If you will do this, with your mind purged from 
prejudice, in my opinion you have done a wise thing. 
Unless you are free to do this you will gain nothing 
by its study. 

The majority of people would read the passages 
of Scripture that the Sunday School committee and 
the Church Propagators have referred to and con- 
clude that these Bible Heroes' garments are clean 
and spotless; Yea, "as white as snow." 

It is not so bad for the old iron shell, deep dyed in 
the wool, stand-patters; a musket ball would flatten, 
if fired against the thinking apparatus of some of 
those men, who have undergone the necessary op- 
erations in the hospitals of priest-craft and church- 
dom. 

Some of them have had cut away everything 



TAMING MAN 105 

except their superstition and creed. It is a crime to 
take advantage of the young and tender, and de- 
prive them of the privilege to reason and think for 
themselves. Since it is the young we hope to reach, 
we hope to attract attention, with an appropriate 
story, that I have read several times with much 
interest. 

In the beginning of time; no one can even guess 
when that was; — we will suppose that it was a 
thousand thousand years ago . There was at that time 
one man. He was an extraordinary man. The first 
important work that he did was to make a world, 
the Sun, Stars and Moon. Now how do you school 
children think he did this? You answer, "he made 
them by word of mouth." The next important 
work was to make man. How did he do that? 
(Answer) "out of the dust of the earth," of course. 
Then he made a woman. All Sunday School 
children know how that trick was performed, that 
was easy you say. All that he would need to do, 
would be to rock the man to sleep, take from his 
side a rib, and mould it into a beautiful woman. 
It would be as impossible for a perfect God to err 
as it would be for man to interfere with the re- 
volving machinery of the Universe. 

Therefore, everything that God had anything 
to do with, would be perfect. Perfection can do 
nothing wrong. What a splendid foundation is 
that. But in spite of this, God, called our Heavenly 
Father, the father of the entire human race, soon 
began to have trouble in his own household. 

This man, whose name was God, planted out an 
orchard and a garden of fruit and placed this man 
and woman in this beautiful Paradise to partake 



106 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

of all its blessings — except for the fruit on a 
certain tree, he commanded them not to eat. 

In disobedience to the command, they ate the 
fruit — it is said that they were commanded not 
to eat. Then the trouble begun. God was grieved 
because the first man and woman that he had 
made turned out bad. And he pronounced a curse 
on them and told them to leave. God's family be- 
gan to multiply, some of his children he liked and 
some he did not; a part of them had been favored, 
had good treatment, and hundreds of thousands 
have had very bad treatment. 

When things commenced to go wrong, he made 
threats against them so it is claimed — and they 
warred one nation against the other. God favored 
those whom he thought most worthy and capable. 
Prayer and obedience is the watchword. What- 
ever good his children is to receive, they must pray 
and beg for. 

Through Elijah and Elisha, two of his servants 
and favorites, Israel must be established. The 
story runs : 

Joshua, David and Moses, of uncompromising 
and ugly disposition in war, — God said to one of 
these prophets, Go and declare war. And he took 
down to the Brook Kishon four hundred and fifty 
Priests and had them slaughtered in cold blood. 

To show that it pays to always be obedient, read 
here the story about Elisha, in the Second chapter 
of the Second Book of Kings. The Bible says, "And 
he went up from thence unto Bethel : and as he was 
going up by the way, there came forth little children 
out of the city and mocked him, and said unto him, 
Go up thou bald head; Go up thou bald head. 



TAMING MAN 107 

And he turned back and looked on them and cursed 
them in the name of the Lord. 

"And there came forth two she-bears out of the 
woods and tore forty and two children of them." 
This is one of the beautiful Bible stories that I 
wanted to tell you. 

Picture in your mind, those innocent children, 
playing in the suburbs of the city of their own home. 
Children are sometimes a little boisterous, and un- 
less they have had good training, they are sometimes 
abrupt and rude. But there is no harm in children. 
We teach our children they are not to have their 
way about everything, — but we never punish them 
just for revenge. 

They have a child's mind. It would demonstrate 
a brute-like spirit in anyone who would punish a 
child for revenge. 

How unthoughted is a child. Those children 
made a fatal blunder in their innocence, making 
impolite remarks about Elisha's bald head, it cost 
them their life. 

No doubt Elisha took the insult to heart, it is 
possible that the children's parents influenced them 
to do this impolite thing, and that the grievance 
was well founded. If it is true that the children 
were torn and killed by the animals, it proves that if 
it was Elisha's desire that this thing should take 
place, he was unmanly and a murderer at heart. 
It also shows that if God had anything to do with 
the murder of these children, he is a savage bar- 
barian. But you have no way of knowing that it 
ever occurred. Unless those children were very 
small, just learning to talk and walk, many of them 
would have made their escape when they seen the 
bears tearing and killing their playmates. 



108 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

The parents should have known better than to 
pitted little children against a hardened, tough, old 
man like Elisha. 

That we may learn more about the character of 
Elisha, if the bible story is true, read the Third 
chapter in the Second Book of Kings, about the 
slaughter of the Moabites. You will, question 
whether or not these Kings and Rulers were justi- 
fiable in the crime of killing. 

According to the teaching of the Bible they are. 
But according to reason and mercy, and the humane 
side of the question, they are not. And here is 
another saying, "I am Gabriel; that stand in the 
presence of God." But that is not true. 

A true man of God has to do only with God; 
take orders from him, and look to him alone for 
supplies. And notwithstanding the fact that the 
claim is made by millions of Christian believers, 
that God supplies their wants and cares for them, 
the thorough acid test burns out the life of the bible 
story. 

The Reverend making the comment, might be 
honest about it, and it is expected that we accept 
the statement as the word of God, without any seri- 
ous consideration of the other side, — and try to 
believe the story; we realize that those who deny, or 
undertake to disprove it in the estimation of the 
Christian teachers are Infidels, and bad men. The 
bible accuses God of saying, if any man shall take 
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, 
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, 
and out of the holy city, and from the things which 
are written in this book. But the teachers tell you 
nothing about the thirteen books that they them- 



TAMING MAN 109 

selves take away. Namely, Esdras, Tobit, Judith, 
The Rest of Esther, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 
Withe the Epistle of Jeremiah, The Song of the 
Three Children, The Story of Susannah, The Idol 
Bel and the Dragon, The Prayer of Manasses and 
The Maccabees. Yet the committee, who done 
this little piece of cutting out; many of them have 
passed over into the spheres of higher knowledge. 

As to the ravens feeding Elijah; that could be 
possible, — if men could tramp through the hot 
sand, and over rough hills for forty years, undergo 
hardship and live on manna, without meat or any 
substantial diet. 

The flour or meal barrel at the widow's home 
might have been empty; they are empty all over 
this land. Some will be filled and some will not- 
Some are Christian believers and some are not. 
What people believe has nothing to do with rilling the 
flour barrel. Believing a thing whether it is true 
or not true, won't fill the meal barrel. It takes 
courage to beg your bread, and if you have friends 
who are able to help you, whether they are believers 
or not, if their heart is right they won't allow a poor 
widow to starve, especially, if they believe she is 
deserving. Faith, belief, or doctrines won't make 
people good or bad. It won't give to you a tender 
heart, nor take you to heaven. A man or woman 
that can't be gentle and manly or womanly without 
belief or faith in a Savior to die to redeem them 
from sin, are not made of the right kind of material. 

There might have been a period of three years 
without rain; the brook might have been dry. It 
might have been God's plan to punish some tribe 
or nation of people. 



110 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

People in that remote age, could believe that 
there was a God so childish and mean to do such 
undermining and wicked things. But we should 
not expect people at this age to believe that there is 
such a monster, as has been pictured to us fighting 
their wars. The earnest prayer of Elijah brought 
rain: Did it? If so, it proves one of the two strange 
and unreasonable characters. 

If God did interfere with natural law, and dry up 
the streams, he did so to compel obedience through 
fear, and had some selfish motive in doing so, and 
not because of his love for the people. Otherwise, 
it is an acknowledgment that he withholds from a 
part of his people the necessities in nature, and grants 
blessings only to those who pray and plead and 
believe certain things, he is jealous and childish, 
and is not worthy to have bestowed on him the title 
of a God. 

The claim that God withholds the necessities of 
life from any people, and favors any other class, or 
even had or ever will have anything to do with 
persuading one nation of people to exterminate the 
other, or inducing David — and other men to fight, 
punish or slaughter, any people for any cause 
whatever; is wrong and foolish and there never 
was nor never will be any evidence to prove the bible 
God ever existed. And if we had no stronger proof 
than our natural intelligence, that the story is a fake, 
that is all the evidence that we would ever need. 



THE UNNECESSARY SACRIFICE. 

But few know the danger and hardship of the life 
of a missionary. 



TAMING MAN 111 

Thousands of mission workers have suffered 
unnecessarily and sacrificed their life in their zeal 
and anxiety to preach what they believe to be the 
only true religion, to heathens in Africa and other 
foreign countries. 

We give here an example of the folly of Christian 
Mission work in Africa and other Heathen Countries. 

A company of European Mission Workers sailed 
for Africa. On the way over, they did not appear to 
encounter any danger unless it was while sailing the 
War Zone of the Nations that were then at war. 

And when they had reached the foreign shore and 
were in the heathen land they read to the heathen 
from our bible, and preached to them about our 
God, told of his goodness and of how God loved the 
whole human family, of how he watched over the 
Christian, fed and clothed them: how the christian 
nations had advanced in the progress of civilization 
and enlightenment. 

They preached about the bible wars and told how 
God gave victory to those of the rulers and kings 
who believed the word and loved and feared him, 
and of the curses and calamities that our God 
permitted the disobedient to fall heir to. 

Those of the heathens who could read and reason 
wanted to know why a merciful God, who had 
promised to watch over and guard his children in 
storm, and feed them in famine, he who had made the 
world, and the Heavens, the Sun and millions of 
sparkling diamonds in the sky, could permit the 
slaughter of mothers and innocent children, and 
show signs of jealousy and display a spirit of sav- 
agery. 

And the Missionary undertook to reason with 



112 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

the patient seeker of truth as they do with the 
sinners in Europe and America. 

But they found the heathen stubborn and the 
only hope to reach that black heart was to portray 
the danger of their calling down the wrath of a 
revengeful, jealous God. 

And were told about God's wonderful love in 
giving his only son to be crucified on a cross, of how 
Christ was compelled to bear the weight of the 
cross, of how the nails were driven through his hands, 
and that in his struggle with death, cried, "My God! 
Why has thou forsaken me?" Of how he was buried 
in a grave and rose from the dead, ascended into 
heaven, of his promises to return again, and the 
heathen was in sympathy with the Christian in this 
one example, — but he discovered that there was 
something wrong, — and he saw contradictions in 
the Christian bible and in the teaching of the 
Missionary. He was sad when he was told of the 
crucifixion, of the two sinful men, one on the right, 
and one on the left of "The Son of God." 

Then he said to the Christian teachers, "I have 
been a wicked man, I have been guilty of theft and 
robbery, and have shed the blood of a great many 
men, and women, and your God won't forgive me." 

Then he was told that Christ said, — "I have 
not come to save the righteous, but the sinner." 

That he said to the thief on the cross in the last 
awful moment of his life, "Thy faith hath made thee 
whole: this day thou shall be with me in paradise." 

And the wicked murderer shook his head when 
he was told that the dying man on the cross had 
wasted his life, had been a bandit — and had not 
done anything during his life that God could look 



TAMING MAN 113 

upon with favor. Then the heathen thought, 
"How my life resembles that bad man." 

Then he wanted to know if that was all the 
punishment that the robber had been given and if 
faith in God was all that was required to gain 
favor with the Christians. 

They preached, "Though Your Sins Be As 
Scarlet They Shall Be As White As Snow." 

And the heathen wanted to know what punish- 
ment was meted out to the sinner whom the Christian 
Religion condemned, and he was advised that they 
would be lost, and that God had prepared a hell of 
fire for the wicked. 

Then he thought of the sinful men that he had 
sent to hell through his instruments of death. 

He discovered in this doctrine weakness and 
injustice. 

He told the Mission worker that he did not like 
the idea of going through so easy, and of those whom 
he had killed going to torment and being tormented 
in flames forever. And he was warned against the 
reckless denial of God's word that no man had 
authority to add or take away, one jot or title from 
the word, and that God would punish him for his 
carnal reasoning. 

But the heathen was not a coward, — he had 
heard also about the dangerous character of the 
heathen's God, was also told of its power, but he 
was a doubter and nature had blessed him with 
more than ordinary reasoning power, so there was 
danger of him losing confidence in all Gods. 

So he told the Missionary that the man that 
Christ had forgiven on the cross ought to be in hell. 

And that he thought the doctrine they preached 



114 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

was dangerous; that murderers and robbers would 
make bad neighbors ; that the doctrine of hell might 
be accepted providing those who do the murdering 
and those who are responsible for the hells of earth 
are punished and permitted to serve their own 
sentences. 

He said I am a bad man, but he despised the 
principle in man, who would spend his 'life in sin, 
"in causing the unfortunate, weak and oppressed to 
suffer, enslaving mothers and children, then fall 
on their knees and beg to be forgiven and want 
to settle on such easy terms. 

The heathen says, "I am too much of a man for 
that — I won't settle it that way. But I will sail 
for Europe; and when I return, I shall be glad to 
debate the subject with you." 

On board the ship he discovered among the 
passengers a company of Missionaries returning 
to Europe, and talking glibly of their success among 
the poor heathen in Africa. 

He saw them kneeling in groups and asking God 
to save the heathen. He heard them asking God, to 
save and bless the King. 

While passing through the Mediterranean — they 
were chased by Torpedo Boats and Submarines — 
evidence on every hand of danger, and he wondered 
what part the Christian God would play. A 
torpedo struck her and amidst screams, prayers 
and curses, the ship went down in the sea, and 
among the fortunate who escaped death, was the 
African; the ignorant wicked wretch who had 
rejected God. 

And when through hardship and struggle, the 
shore was reached he discovered a lone Missionary 



TAMING MAN 115 

kneeling on the earth, with the few who had been 
rescued from the catastrophe, giving thanks to the 
Christian's God and portraying his goodness, and 
mercy for showing his omnipotent hand. 

The heathen was also thankful that he had 
escaped with his life, but being a heathen, he took 
no stock in the Christian's faith, and foolishly and 
stubbornly schemed and fought his way inland into 
the cities where the confusion was as wild as it was 
on the mad ocean. Here he detected in the manners 
and expression of the people fear, hatred, excitement, 
and there was a mad uproar wherever he went. 

Dangerous bombs had fallen from Battle Planes, 
wrecking homes, and mutilating noncombatants. 
To this heathen it was a sickening sight to see 
mothers and children buried beneath falling walls, 
disembowled and heads torn from their bodies. 

It was Sunday morning: Church bells were 
ringing and he was attracted by the silence of the 
factory, except the ones that manufactured muni- 
tions of war. 

He followed the crowd and after persuasion with 
the Sexton and consultation with the Priest and 
Divine and Officers of the Churches of the different 
denominations, taking advantage of every oppor- 
tunity from time to time, he was admitted in the 
doors of several churches. This gave him an 
opportunity to familiarize himself with the customs 
of the people. He noted that the disciplines and 
creeds differed, some stood, and others kneeled, 
in prayer. He said this is a matter of pride. They 
all prayed to the Jehovah God, and the Catholic 
prayed through the Pope, and mother Mary, and 
through confession to the Priest their sins were 
forgiven. 



116 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

He was affected by the pathetic pleas to the war 
God for favors and for the exercise of his omnipotent 
power for victory over other warring nations. 

When this people made headway by bullet and 
saber, the old reaper had given to them a rich 
harvest, special services were held and prayers 
went up to the "Great Jehovah," who sat on the 
"Great White Throne," and he was pleaded with to 
end the war and make it possible for their victory. 

Then when he had had enough of this, he ven- 
tured in sight of the battleground where he could 
watch the devastation and desolation of battle. 

He heard a continuous roar of gun, the rumble of 
wheels, the hand-to-hand clash of steel. And when 
the savage grcwl of death had ceased, and the clouds 
of black smoke had partly cleared away, he witnessed 
a sight that made him sick at heart. 

He saw men mangled, flesh and bcnes scattered 
over the battleground — men praying and cursing, 
rising and falling, wallowing and tumbling over one 
another, seen the dead dumped in trenches by the 
thousands and when the sun shone hot and the 
flies began to swarm, a sickening stench polluted the 
air. 

He h ad learned to pity humanity — and wished 
that he could do seme thing to influence the world to 
see the crime of killing, and to tame the savage 
spirit in man's breast.. 

And the Christian's Gcd he learned to hate, and 
he sailed for Africa. 

When he was again with his people, he inquired 
as to the whereabouts of the Christian Mission 
workers. 

And was advised that some of them had sailed for 



TAMING MAN 117 

America. There had been a terrible storm at sea, 
and the ship and all aboard was lost, and that the 
others had starved and died. 

He inquired why his people allowed the Mission- 
aries to starve. He told them that it was wicked 
to treat the Christians in this manner, that they 
should be punished for their crime. 

That his \ : : sit to Europe had proven very profitable, 
he told thei what he saw and heard about the 
shipwreck, the Christians' customs and habits, the 
destructive modern machinery employed in war, 
his visit to e scene of battle and of his conversion 
from heatl i^m; and his hatred for the heathen's 
as well as t Christian's God. 

And the: the more ignorant heathen told him of 
their surpr . because the Missionaries had died. 
That the j\ sionaries prayed continuously and they 
did not ki but what the Christian's God was 

feeding an aring for them. 

Then h< his people that he would persuade the 

African G aiment to destroy their Gods. That 
their Goc re no good, they were no more than a 

rough sto : a fallen tree, and the Christian's 

God was i. inary and to him a horrible "Night- 
mare and lonster." 

He tolc i that he would influence the African 

Governr enact compulsory educational laws. 

And whe they learn that "No God" has life nor 
power that Natural Law" was the only basis on 
which i 1 safely build. 

That res in and natural intelligence will develop 
the "Goc the breast of the African, and they 

then v. a great people and send Mission 

Workers to the civilized nations, and teach the world 



118 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

that the Supreme Creator is the intelligence that 
surrounds the universe — which is the divine law — 
the God "that lives in the breast of the heathen, 
that becomes a part of man, when man becomes 
tame and through effort and a hungering for knowl- 
edge, evolution and education conforming with 
nature, will mean the destruction of fictitious gods. 
And this, and this alone:" will for all time silence 
the roar of the cannon, prepare the earth for the 
habitation of man, and make him worthy and use- 
ful here, and in the life in the great beyond. 



THE LOST SAILOR. 

Three Looks at Christ: Look unto me and be ye 
saved, all the ends of the earth: Isaiah, 45 and 22. 

This was one of the greatest sermons ever preached 
from this text. This great preacher is not in the 
line with the ordinary preachers. He said, "first is 
the look of faith." 

There are two texts of scripture which would be 
well for us to have in mind: first, "mine eyes are 
toward the Lord that He may pluck my feet out of 
the net," and the other is in vain, "A net spread 
before anything that has wings," from which we 
learn if we are but living as God would have us 
live, looking constantly unto Him, we should not be 
entangled with the things of the world. 

Second, the look that sanctifies. "Wherefore, 
seeing we are compassed with so great a cloud of 



TAMING MAN 119 

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin 
that does so easily beset us, and let us with patience 
run the race that is set before us, looking unto 
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." 

Third, is the look that glorifies — the look that 
comparatively few people take, for our conversation 
is in Heaven, from whence we also look for the 
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 3: 20. "Look 
to Jesus and thou shalt be saved." That touches the 
spirit. Look for Jesus, and thou shalt be sanctified, 
this reaches the soul; look for Jesus and thou shalt 
be glorified, this delivers the body from sin. 

He says this is a very important truth, this return 
of the Master. One verse in every twenty-five of the 
New Testament speaks of his coming, and in Thess., 
one verse out of every three, speaks of his return. 
He closes the sermon with the following illustration. 

''On the rocky coast of Wales, a company on 
shore were watching a ship go to pieces on the rocks. 
At last they descried clinging to the vessel, a single 
sailor. There was no chance to save him as no boat 
could live in the rough sea. They brought a speaking 
trumpet hoping to convey to him some message, and 
handed it to the old village preacher, who wondered 
what to say. He thought over his sermons, but 
could not think of anything he dared to utter at 
such a time. Raising the trumpet to his lips he 
shouted, 'Look to Jesus: can you hear?' And back 
came the faint answer almost drowned by the noise 
of the wind and wave, 'Aye, aye, sir.' Then as 
they watched and listened, some one exclaimed, 
'he is singing.' 

"And to their strained ears came over the waves 
the murmur of these lines: 



120 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

'Jesus lover of my soul, 
Let me to thy bosom fly,' 

And it thrilled them as they again heard, 
'While the nearer waters roll, 
While the temp test still is nigh" 

Then fainter still 

'Safe into the haven guide, 
O receive my soul at last.' 
Fainter yet came the opening of the next verse : 
'Other refuge have I none, 
Hangs my helpless soul on thee.' 

Then his frail hold on the vessel gave way, and the 
singer dropped into the sea. Those on shore said 
he passed to be with Jesus while singing that hymn." 

I believe it was Sheldon who preached this sermon. 
There may have been better preachers, but I doubt 
it. I have read this sermon many times; I loved, 
and still love the man who .preached it. I have 
given here what I believe to be the cream of the 
discourse. If mankind can be saved by faith, this 
sermon is sufficient. If faith will pave the road that 
leads from earth to Heaven, there would be no need 
of listening to other sermons, or of further in- 
vestigation of the scripture, or worrying any longer 
about a hell or about the salvation of your soul. 

"Three looks at Christ. ' ' This good man stamped 
this photograph in my brain, and I thought I saw 
Christ through faith, walking with the shipwrecked 
sailor, on that mad sea. I was taught to believe 
that through faith men could remove mountains, 
heal the lame and restore the sight to the blind. 



TAMING MAN 121 

One day my reason came to me, and in violation 
of the rule — against the advice of my elders, I 
turned the photograph over. And to my astonish- 
ment, I discovered that the Photograph had two 
faces. In the first I was only to see through a mist 
what the great man said could not be seen, felt nor 
heard, ONLY through faith. 

But to me the second face portrayed a great mass 
of humanity fighting their way through an earthly 
hell. I saw them struggling against the weakness of 
the flesh, falling prey to disease, and combating with 
Old Reaper Death: I saw them falling on their 
knees, begging for mercy: I saw them trying to 
believe; know of them waiting and watching for 
almost two thousand years for his return. 

Saw them watching and looking for a sign in 
the heavens; heard them crying and praying, facing 
streams of lead on the battlefield, starving in 
famine, wollowing in vermin and alleys of poverty, 
dying of cold and starvation ; succumbing to disease 
because of overwork in factory; suffering hardships 
and abuse ; heard them begging for food in the midst 
of plenty, shot down in labor wars. I was attracted 
by the pinched faces of factory girls, the young and 
tender, overburdened with responsibility that mould 
age in youth. 

The poor deprived of education and pleasure, 
driven to crime through the pinch of want, the 
young women driven to the factory and into the 
great department stores, and from there to the 
bawdy-house or on the streets of the city, forced 
to sell her virtue because of insufficient wage. 
And men by the hundreds of thousands becoming 
millionaires at the cost of misery, and this is only a 
hint at the hideous face that the other side portrayed. 



122 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

I heard the heads of the nations and the officers 
in war pleading with this same God for victory in 
battle: and when through some hundreds of thou- 
sands of lives of brave men were slaughtered and 
crippled, they felt that this same God had guided 
and given them victory. 

I saw men sitting in their richly furnished homes 
in the city, drinking wine, making elaborate banquets 
that cost thousands of dollars, far away from the 
scene of battle, yet reaping rich harvests at the 
expense of the unfortunate and the sacrifice of the 
blood of men who fight the battles of earth. Build- 
ing churches at cost of half a million dollars, com- 
plimenting the Sunday sermon but taking no notice 
of the poverty and misery at their door. 

The poor sailor might have sang that song, yet it 
counted for nothing, for he was lost in the rough sea. 
That was a sad picture. A man looking and listen- 
ing for something to save him, he needed help; a 
preacher standing on the bank, safe from the mad 
dashes of a stormy sea, shouting to him to look for 
something that he could not see nor hear, — that 
something which in nineteen hundred years has 
never prevented the wreck of a ship, fed a hungry 
mouth nor stayed the sword in battle. 

I wonder who is standing on the shore with gloved 
hands today out of reach of the hell of fire that is 
raging in the war zone, and yelling to the abused 
slaves to look and listen and sing ? Who is throwing 
out the life line to the sailors in the North Sea today ? 
What a harsh echo that comes back to the War Devil 
as he shouts through the window of his mansion or 
from his office in Wall Street, who are profiting a£ the 
cost of the unfortunate? But he doesn't hear, he is 
not sensitive to the touch of sympathy. 



DO YOU KNOW ME? 

Do you know me? Yes; do I know you? Yes; 
did you ever live in the United States of America? 
Yes; did you die? No; Are you in the Spirit world? 
No; Are you in heaven? Yes; Can you tell me 
where the spirit world is? No; Is there a spirit 
world? no; do you know to a certainty that there 
is no spirit world ? Yes ! can you tell me what state 
and county you lived in and what kind of a house? 
Yes! well that's about right so far, but, tell me 
how old you was when you died and what disease 
you died with: I didn't die: didn't we bury you? 
no: are you rational? yes; have you the power of 
reason? yes: what is your name; can you tell me? 
Yes; well that's right and I am awful glad of this 
privilege to talk with you, but say: there must be 
something wrong or something about this thing 
that I can't understand; yes: well say: I have a 
friend in New York City that says you cant tell 
how many oranges that he will place behind his 
back and if you tell him he will pay you a hand- 
some reward. Do you know him? no: YOU DONT? 
no : well I will describe him to you : he is about five 
feet and eight inches in height, square shoulders, 
black hair and brown eyes, a grey red mustache; 
do you know him now; no: can you locate him? 
no: can't you tell me how old he is? no: Well do you 
know where I live ? Yes : what was I doing yesterday ? 
I don't know : YOU DONT? no : have you known me 
and been interested in me and my family since you 



124 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

left here? yes, well then tell me how many children 
I have? Five: how many boys? three: how many 
girls? two! can you give their exact as well as my 
and my wife's exact age? no! you cant? No: can you 
tell pretty close? Yes! then tell me how old is 
David? six years! No, you'r wrong about that, Dave 
won,t be six until the week after next! Yes, well how 
old is Sarah? Seven and a half! no you're certainly 
wrong, Sarah is seven years and five month next 
week. Are you just a spirit? No: do you have a 
body a head? yes : just like my head? NO. Can you 
see me? Yes: can I see you? no: can you explain 
that phenomenon to me? no! can you explain it so 
that the people will understand about it and won't be 
so doubtful ? no ! YOU CANT ? no : If you could don't 
you think it would be a great help? Yes; would 
you like to? Yes: will you? No: Can you tell me 
why you won't? Yes: all right: I will be willing to 
listen to it, but, but, well go ahead with the ex- 
planation. What explanation? you said you 
would tell me. You misunderstood me: well then 
can you tell me what you said? That would not be 
hard to do, but you are not in the frame of mind 
to comprehend it. Well, I am not supposed to 
understand like you, am I? NO. Do you know 
anything about conditions where you are? yes! 
very much. Yes. We will see how much you 
know. All right. Please tell me O, I mean for you 
to tell me about mansions, and the holy City, and 
the bible in general. Can you tell me anything 
about it? Yes: Will you? No. Good-bye son, 
be a good boy, I will help you over the river when 
the time comes for you to say good-bye to earth. 
Pshaw, she left just as I was getting interested. 



TAMING MAN 125 

I had a thousand questions that I wanted to ask. 
I guess it must have been mother, but, but, but, 
there is something wrong about it, something that 
I can't understand. I think I was just about to find 
out something when she left. Well I'll be dog-gone 
if I wouldn't like to know more about this business, 
it's mighty strange, and it sounded like her voice 
but, but, well I'll be dog'gone! 

MORAL : man needs refining. 



WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MRS. ELIZABETH 

BLAKE. 

A nobler soul, a sweeter spirit we have never found 
than Elizabeth Blake, the Noted Medium of 
Proctorville, Ohio. 

It was through this sweet dispositioned motherly 
character, that I first learned of my phenomenon 
powers, and conversed with departed friends whom 
I believed to be dead. What a wonderful revelation, 
that was for me. Had she gone to New York or to 
some large city, instead of the small village on the 
banks of the Ohio, she would have spent her days in 
luxury in a mansion in a suburban section of the 
residential district with the wealthy, and the world 
would have been wiser. Had there been any 
evidence of dishonesty, this splendid woman would 
have been bound and gagged, and the voices of 
our loved ones would have been strangled through 
the agencies of prejudice and superstition. That 



126 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

red eyed monster ignorance would have had more 
weapons with which to tomahawk and scalp the 
children of science. 

Those who are first to grasp the truth are the free 
thinkers, whose minds are not bound by discipline, 
who are qualified and have the stamany, grit and 
strength of character to face the world in defense 
of this persecuted old mother and proclaim the glad 
tidings that the lost are not lost, — the dead are 
not dead, — and to champion the cause, that 
this our mother sacrificed her life. We are in 
possession of a mighty weapon. And though fewer 
in number, our army is not small, and we are proud 
of its strength for it spells might. 

MY GODS ARE THOSE WHO CAN HELP ME 
FIGHT THE BATTLES OF LIFE. 



SAYINGS OF MRS. ELIZABETH BLAKE. 

Mr. R., of Wheeling, W. Va., wrote me that he 
would pay me one thousand dollars, if I would come 
to Wheeling and hold a few seances. 

My reply was, the distance from Wheeling here 
is the same as it is from Proctorville to Wheeling. 
I. am not peddling spiritualism, and you can visit 
me with a small outlay, and your sittings will be 
free. 

Mr. Abbott, of Omaha, Neb., one of the in- 
vestigating committee who accompanied Dr. Hys- 
lop, of New York, who was with me several days 



TAMING MAN 127 

made me an offer of one thousand dollars and ex- 
penses, in order to induce me to come to his home, 
but the proposition didn't interest me. 

I have had a number of attractive propositions 
made me to travel; I could see no need of that. 
I can't accommodate one-tenth of the people who 
call to see me. It is not a matter of commercialism 
with me. 

As bad as I need money, I would rather lose one 
thousand dollars, than lose two gentlemen, referring 
to D. E. McQuain and myself. I want you to come 
often and when I am able we will hold night circles, 
it strengthens you and you must have experience. 
Because of your medium powers, the seances are 
strengthened and it makes it easier on me. 

What a sad situation that more people don't 
know and appreciate the wonderful and beautiful 
truth. But it is so well established that ignorance 
can no longer sway an influence. 

A Mrs. B. from Huntington, came over one morn- 
ing and told me that she came over on very impor- 
tant business — that she wanted to find out some- 
thing of great importance and that she knew I 
could tell her. But she would'nt have her pastor 
know about her visit for anything. I told her 
that she had better go to her pastor and ask HIM 
to give her the information, that she could not get 
any information through me and for her to never 
come to me for information again. There were 
two others with her, and they undertook to apologize 
for her, and they begged for the sitting, but they 
never got it. 



WAR ECONOMICS. 

It is the spirit of true patriotism to end war — 
because of its devastation, its hell and its spirit of 
degradation. Honest, manly manhood would instill 
in the breast of the ignorant brute-like creature, 
the spirit of love and principle. 

The true patriarch, sees the folly of the policy of 
destruction, — the inconsistency of the -competition 
of nations in war preparation. 

America competing with England, England trying 
to compete with Germany. When a nation adds 
strength to her navy, other nations must do likewise. 

So long as that foolhardiness and blind stumbling 
exists we will always be preparing for war. What 
does the war devil and the manufacture of muni- 
tions care or know about Government economics? 
With them it is mean, sneaking, cussed, shrewd 
false patriotism. 

It is a mean dog that will chew up another dog 
half its size. A mean dispositioned man who will 
stand by and allow a bull-dog strangle a fist, — or a 
strong man tear the flesh from a small man's bones, 
if he is in a position to interfere and not endanger 
himself. 

But it is not bravery to rush recklessly into danger 
where the chances are against you, and to set your- 
self up for a target to be shot at, — displays the 
weakness of a fool. Why permit a few well fed 
bull-dogs to lap up the blood of inefficient innocents ? 
Like dumb animals we are being loaded on trains 



TAMING MAN 129 

and driven in to slaughter pens where we bang out 
each other's brains, cut each other's throats with 
the instruments of death manufactured by men who 
make a profit on the guns that the soldiers use to 
shoot down men of their own class. 

As well as a profit on all the munitions of war. 
The faster men fall in battle, the more destructive 
the machinery the greater the profits. If we fail to 
see the position of the manufacturers of war mu- 
nitions, we would not think strange if you would 
shoulder a rifle, stick a butcher knife in your belt 
and go where killing is legal. 

I am not the most sensitive man in the world, I 
know the art of handling guns, and can catch the 
sight on the barrel as quick as any man, — and a fool 
can pull the trigger as quick as the wise. To be a 
good marksman is nothing to be proud of; I would 
dislike to earn my bread by slaughtering animals, 
and while I would have no hesitancy in defending 
myself against the brutality of men ; — there is 
nothing that I would dislike so much as to make it 
a business of killing men. 

Since war is a game of profit considering the 
enormous expense of propagating and the executing 
of wars : — carefully noting the trend of our drift 
and the applauds of the world because of our keen- 
ness in devising modern machinery in war-fare. 
It seems to me that we have drifted about the right 
depths into barbarism, — and I respectfully submit 
a proposition for consideration. The item of food 
is likely to become a serious problem for the soldiers. 
Some of them are eating horse flesh because of its 
cheapness, the custom is to dig trenches and dump 
the dead carcasses in these ditches : — sometimes 



;30 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR. 

there are such a great number of dead, the fighting 
is so fierce, that many are left on the battlefield to 
rot, their flesh torn by animals and devoured by 
vultures. 

In hot weather these decaying bodies pollute 
the air with a sickening stench. 

Proposition. 

Let each army carry with them a large corps of 
expert inspectors and meat dressers. The govern- 
ments may sell the healthy carcasses to war specu- 
lators, the flesh can be pickled, cured and preserved 
like pork and other meats — say at about four 
dollars ($4.00) a carcass. Other meats are high, 
human carcasses are cheap, dead or alive. 

Let the Government then buy the meat from the 
speculators and pay a reasonable profit to these 
gentlemen. 

This would be a saving of millions of dollars 
annually to the Governments, and the soldiers would 
not know the nationality of the meats they are 
eating. Nor need we have any feeling of horror at 
eating the flesh of dead men. "Dead men can't 
feel!" — "Dead men can't talk;" — it is only the 
SPIRIT that continues to live and think. 

If the proposition is shocking to the nerves of 
society, let the fathers and mothers teach the sons 
the crime of killing. 

Was it not for the fact that we are trained in the 
killing business, having been at it so long, that we 
have become hardened, — war agitators could more 
easily grasp the moral. 

But under existing circumstances taking into con- 



TAMING MAN 131 

sideration, conditions as we see them all over the 
world, — taking for my basis established customs 
and the universally acknowledged civilization, — I 
cannot conceive where, in my views, I have errored. 

I at least hope my nature is no less civil than 
those who are responsible for universal savagery. 

If this suggestion is a little in advance of the time 
— I owe the public an apology for misconstruing the 
speed of our drift. And the object of this illustra- 
tion is to hang a red light of warning in time to 
check the onward march of slaughter: hoping to 
soften the savage yell for blood. 

Three or four dollars for a hundred pounds of 
flesh and bones, is not an extravagant price. Fer- 
tilizer is selling as high as forty dollars a ton. Ma- 
chinery for grinding dead carcasses and making them 
into fertilizer can be installed at small expense. The 
inspecting corps could be dismissed, the bodies 
could be loaded and carted away immediately after 
the close of battle. The only loss to the speculators 
would be the blood that would drain from the 
wounds and soak into the earth. 

In the estimation of the general public, — the 
suggestion to make the dead men into fertilizer, — 
is considerably modified, from the first proposition to 
salt them down in barrels. 

I see no difference in the moral. I see only the 
crime of the first act. The shedding of blood and 
the destruction of life. In the game of war, I only 
see the crime, destruction and hell. 



THE GOOD OLD MAN. 

(The text of what he had to say after leaving this 

world.) 

This good old man, whom I thought dead, 
Made answer familiar and quick, 
To my unasked question, gently said: 
"The Spirit wasn't sick." 

He talked about the old homestead, 
Of things only he and I knew; 
His friends and mine, and then he said: 
"til see what I can do 

To help you see what does concern 
You people down below — 
Turn on the light that you may learn, 
And help the world to know. 

The primitive writers did not know, 
Neither were they inspired — 
No more than you, or E. P. Roe — 
But some should be admired. 

And one thing we know full well, 
That the Church has naught to do 
With fitting souls for heaven or hell — 
This truth I'll prove to you. 

With bombs of truth you must try — 
Hurl them with all your might, 
On a structure of darkness built on a lie, 
And its only fear— the LIGHT. 






TAMING MAN 133 

Heaven is free from kingly rule, 

Has no judge that you need fear, 

Tis false impression — you're just a tool, 

You make and know your sphere. 

Some are wating till end of time, 
To stand before a throne, 
Theology's creed, preached by divine, 
Of a richly furnished home. 

Of New Jerusalem they love to sing, 

Of the shining streets of gold, 

To this mythical thread they fondly cling, 

As the ignorant did of old, 

Heaven's a place of pure delight, 
Where Nature is supreme: 
There is no death, no pain, no night,* 
There all is sweet, serene. 

Here there is no god, no jealous king, 
To spue out his hateful wrath — 
It is just an idol to whom they cling — 
They tread a phantom path! 

This is the text of a good old man, 
Whom the ignorant terms "A ghost;" 
Grin at his truth — mock if you can, 
In the face of Heaven's sweet truth. 

♦Explanation — The word night is not used in its literal meaning, as 
our departed friends claim that over there no such condition as we call 
night exists, that there are fifty hours of day and five hours resembling 
twilight. And I have no disposition to contradict this claim; for my part 
I have tested out the revelations of the departed to my own satisfaction 
and find them interesting and instructive, reasonable and helpfull, and I 
am less inclined to dispute with these messemgers than with the people of 
this sphere. I firmly believe that they are better qualified to furnish in- 
formation on this subject, having had a deeper and broader experience 
than any of us — just as I think I am better qualified to speak of the 
environs of my office than those who have no personal knowledge concern- 
ing it. But usually if you desire information along this line it will be fur- 
nished copiously and gratiously by those of your friends who have steered 
clear of the dangerous subject and who therefore believe themselves well 
qualified to speak with authority on it. 






VOICES FROM HEAVEN. 
Barron Accountis. 

Sometimes I blush and wonder, 

About this uncertain life 
And on the past I ponder, 

How in this world of strife 

I blindly stumbled from day to day, 

To pull my heavy load 
With obstacles strewn along the way 

And ditches in the road. 

A voice from heaven, natural and clear 

Spoke in the silent night, 
Says, "Papa, I'm Ray, you need not fear, 

I'll teach you the road that's right!" 

Then there came a dear old man, 
Says, "Son who's this you see? 

I'll teach you I'm sure I can, 
How the slaves of earth to free!" 

I called for mother, she came at last, 
With a vision sad and strange: 

In a panorama of the past, 
And things with me arrange. 

A stranger came and sang a song 

In a voice so soft and low, 
That told of millions going wrong: 

And then he asked to know 



TAMING MAN 135 

If I would teach a blessed truth 

And help the people see 
Why thus we gamble away our youth, 

Arid how the world should be. 

I closed my eyes and thought in vain 

Of how such things could be, 
And heard voices speak again, 

But did not seem strange to me. 

Then I seen a soft pale light, 

When I was all alone, 
Long in the stillness of the night, 

When in the center shone 

A face so sweet, bright and fair, 

And eyes so soft and blue, 
With crimson roses in her hair, 

Such beauty I never knew. 

I could not move; my heart stood still: 

My tongue refused to talk: 
And to my soul there came a thrill, 

My face was white as chalk. 

Then she left — just faded away, 

To my wonder and surprise, 
Then came again early next day, 

Like an angel in disguise. 

Then at night when I retire, 

And at the break of day, 
She comes and sets my soul afire, 

And haunts me through the day. 



136 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

She talks of things down here, 

And of our friends above: 
Of conditions in her heavenly sphere 

And of the power of love. 

Of beautiful singing birds, 
And of the fruits and flowers, 

On subjects we have never heard, 
And calls me every hour. 

I love that girl, and you would too, 
If you could know her well, 

No one of earth I ever knew, 
Such interesting things can tell. 

And if you think that heavenly dove, 
Don't watch o'er a wretch like me, 

Talk of something that hints of love, 
And she's most sure to see. 

Now when my work is at an end, ' 
I'll raise my head and call, 

A mental current to her I'll send, 
Then watch the curtain fall. 

Then my soul will take its flight, 
She'll be my chieftain guide, 

I will trust her to the right, 
My mischief she will hide. 

And when death's hard and icy hand, 
Drives in his thorn of hate, 

When I hear the cruel command, 

She will turn the key to heaven's gate. 



SOME MYSTERIES IN NATURE. 

There are some things in nature, 
That's hard to understand; 
And every living creature 
That walks upon the land 

Are trying to learn just how it came 
That things are just so, so 
And for the mystery who is to blame 
For how they come and go. 

Coming in and passing out, 
The gate is open wide, 
Know not of what its all about 
Just instinct for our guide. 

In the East we see a sun 

Set in a frame of blue: 

The mystic problem is just begun; 

We hope to see it through. 

We turn around and face the West 
And see it sinking low, 
And for my brain there is no rest: 
It throbs and burns to know. 

Then I watch all through the night 
The meteors in disguise, 
For in the East to come a light, 
The same old sun to rise. 



138 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

Now here comes the nice old moon 
That lovers sing about: 
For in its rays we court and spoon 
When all the lights are out. 

We gaze and ponder for awhile, 
And wonder if its true 
That this dear moon does really smile 
When looking down on you. 

Sometimes it seems to try to talk: 
And join you in the swirl — 
Out in your boat: or in your walk, 
And steal away your girl. 

I'm sure he loves you pretty, belle, 
For always in his round 
Suggests the story for you to tell, 
And always looking down. 

And when you row out in the deep 
And drop your anchor down, 
He's always trying to get a peep, 
You'll think he's coming down. 

Then you see the stars at night, 
And watch them dance and play. 
Your soul suggests the world is right 
And then I'm sure to say: 

O, God so great: the god in me: 
The passion of peace and love: 
Lead thou me on; help me to see, 
The mystery of things above. 



MY GOOD OLD DEVIL. 

Said my Devil to me one day, 
In a voice that made me sad, 
I have something to you to say 
That's sure to make you glad. 

'Tis about the world's terrible war 
And the waste of human blood 
That we devils sure abhor 
Let's have it understood, 

That you and I will now agree 
And make a solid stand, 
To have the people all to see 
And lend a helping hand. 

To those who feel death's wicked sting 
And hear its awful groan; 
To this mad world sweet peace to bring 
To build and cheer your home. 

I listened to my sly old devil, 
To me his plans were sane; 
And when I found his head level 
I joined him in his game. 

I took up my pen to write one day 

When a Deacon came along; 

Says he, "I don't think your scheme will pay; 

I'm sure your plans are wrong. 



140 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

For all we Deacons, with one accord, 
Believe that you're unfair 
And we will trust our God and Lord; 
Then bowed their heads in prayer: 

O, Lord, our God, the prince of peace, 
Now help us to decide 
How our strength in war to increase,- 
Be Thou our secret guide." 

And their prayers were not in vain, 
For war they did decide, 
Then rose and sang a sweet refrain, 
That told how Satan lied; 

Of how Devils like an angel of light 
Would steal into the flock 
And whisper mischief in the black of night, 
And on God's church would knock. 

Again my devil came to me still sad; 
Says, "Dear sir, I cannot see 
How we'll deal with a world that's mad, 
That crowd is too tough for me. 



MY OLD CORN COB PIPE. 

I expect you'll think I'm thinking wrong; 

When I think I'm thinking right; 
To think 'twill help the think along, 

To think some things in sight. 



TAMING MAN 141 

To fill my pipe with this foul stuff, 

And hoist my feet in air, 
And if you think it's all a bluff, 

I'm sure your think is fair. 

And if you'll watch real close you'll see 

The smoke a whirling round, 
And then you'll think, it seems to me, 

The smoke is coming down. 

And if you think the thing won't work, 

And think I'm thinking wrong 
Try some thinking, think can't shirk 

And help this think along. 

But, don't you think this pipe of mine 

Helps out the thinking game? 
I'm thinking mischief most all the time: 

I believe this pipe's to blame. 

Now, when I light this old black briar 

That Murray gave to me 
And hang my feet above the fire, 

It smokes so sweet and free. 

When old black briar begins to shirk 

And harden on the side, 
I'll put old corncob again to work 

And let old Murray slide. 

One day I had a thinking job, 

My thinking wasn't right: 
Meerschaum, briar, nor old corncob, 

Not a darn pipe in sight. 



142 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

But it wasn't so very far 

To a restaurant across the way 

Where was kept high grade cigars 
And open night and day. 

A good Havana I began to smoke 
The smoke commenced to swirl, 

And why I think it's not a joke, 
The problem did unfurl. 

Now, when I go out for a stroll, 
My pipes are in their place; 

I can't help it to save my soul, 
It's a habit of my race. 

That's a thing that's sure to grow: 

A habit in our youth, 
So firmly fixed we think it's so, 

And write it down for truth. 

An innocent habit we must agree, 
Don't do but little harm; 

Hidden secrets that we can't see, 
That we should raise alarm. 

They call this thing a "Cigarette," 
It's harmful to the brain; 

Look up its record and don't forget 
That thousands it has slain. 

Now if you knew who gave to me 
This meerschaum and this case, 

When at my best if you could see 
The pleasure on her face, 



TAMING MAN 143 

When I say, "Please take my arm 

My mind is in need of rest; 
Then we'll stroll about the farm, 

When nature is at its best. 

And she knows, as well as you: 

It's the girl that helps it out 
And if you think this thing through, 

You'll know what I'm about. 



PROSPERITY'S ENGINE. 

These strenous days things are high, 
Except some things that's cheap, 

Still soaring upward toward the sky 
Just take a glancing peep. 

'Twas said by those who knew the game, 
When the engine changed its crew, 

There would be no reason for complain, 
Our troubles would be so few. 

The old engine had been abused, 

By a gang of sinful men, 
For its adjustment they had choosed 

The chaps we could depend. 

This rusty old remote bunch, 

With steady heavy tread, 
Abused the engine with awkward punch 

Until it was most dead. 



144 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

They monkeyed with the tariff's screw, 
And stripped it clean of thread, 

Such foolish work would never do, 
Is what reformers said. 

Things were in a horrible muss, 

And most infernal high, 
"Prosperity," cried the Jingo cuss, ' 

With mischief in his eye. 

Then this wise and virtuous crew, 

With promises galore, 
Knew precisely which bolt to screw, 

Had turned the screw before. 

They turned the nuts down good and tight, 

And lunged her too, and fro, 
Oiled and patched her up just right, 

But the damn thing refused to go. 

The smoke stack stood so high in air, 

They cut her down real short, 
Then shoved her from the mud and mire 

And the engine begin to snort. 

They helped her out on solid ground, 

Painted her up like new, 
Her cluck was heard for miles around; 

That pleased the Jingo crew. 

Then we waited and watched in vain, 
For good times to come around: 

We're catchin' on to the Jingo game, 
There is nothin' comin' down. 



TAMING MAN 145 

The old engine is plugging alond, 

And don't you never fret, 
Shrieking loud her Jingo song 

And heaping up the debt. 

They blind your sight with the blood of men, 

Then laugh at our defeat: 
Shrewd as the devil, cunning as sin, 

They guard your bread and meat. 

We watch the engine limp along, 

And reel around the curve, 
It shrieks so fierce the Jingo song 

That it grates upon the nerve. 

The workers toil both night and day, 

To supply the thing with fuel: 
Their sweat is oil, in the Jingo play, 

It has always been the rule. 

It's disgusting to watch the Jingo crew, 

And to hear the engine knock, 
Watch them adjust the tariff screw, 

Then see the damn thing balk. 

Now it's a fact you can't well deny, 

The engine is on the bum: 
We think the people had better try, 

To check its reckless hum. 

They've been tellin' us for quite awhile, 

As though we didn't know: 
We've had enough of Jingo smile, 

And thought we'd let you know. 



146 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

We've decided that you chaps don't know, 

That the engine is out of date: 
It screaks and rattles and runs too slow, 

And its schedule is too late. 

They want us chaps to gine the crew, 

Pledge ourselves to fight; 
"Ringin' in on us something new, 

To make us think it's right. 

I'm thinkin' boys, they've had their day; 

It's time that we should find, 
Some civil decent honest way, 

Except the bloody grind. 

They're burnin' up the country's fuel, 

And killin' off the men; 
We're sick and tired of savage rule, 

There's nothing on the mend. 

They drove that engine in Moses' time; 

And David he took a whack: 
It's still pulling on down the line, 

Without a change of track. 

This gamble game is sure to tell, 

The steam is bursting through: 
It hoots and shreaks for the gate of hell: 
PLEASE LET THE DAMN THING THROUGH. 



NOAH'S ARK AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF 

REASON. 

I want to tell you of Noah's boat 

That you may plainly see, 
How it was that it did float, 

And rode the stormy sea. 

It came around about this way: 
When Jehovah was feeling blue, 

Says, "I'll look up Noah without delay, 
And see what we can do." 

Then in Noah he did confide, 

And told him of his plan, 
To do some scheming on the side, 

And show his powerful hand. 

He said the people, and everything, 

Were wicked as could be, 
And he proposed a flood to bring, 

If good old Noah would agree, 

To build an ark of gopher wood; 

And make it big and strong — 
Make it tight and pitch it good — 

For the world was going wrong. 

So Noah went to work, 'tis said, 

With tools that would make you swear; 

And the work went plowing right ahead 
And Noah was doing his share. 



148 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

So the Boss came and wanted to know, 

After a lapse of thirty days, 
Just why the work was going so slow, 

Then Noah began to pray: 

"Lord, I can't see how it's to be done. 

We don't know what you're about: 
You see, our tools are on the bum, 

And our food is almost out. 

There's not an axe in all this land, 
No saws, nor squares nor plane, 

No nails, nor augur, you understand — 
And you know I'm not to blame." 

The Boss was mad; he smote his breast, 
Saying, "Noah, canst not thou hear? 

I've a notion to drown you with' the rest!" 
And poor Noah shook with fear. 

So Moses says, as we all agree, 

The ark was built of gopher wood; 

How Noah managed to fell the tree, 
Is not to be understood. 

But when this boat was complete, 
It was about the average size; 

But far too frail for a battle fleet, 
And for style it took the prize. 

Then Noah and help went out to find, 
The animals that seemed so few — 

In groups of seven, two of a kind, 
Many of which he never knew. 



TAMING MAN 149 

They searched the woods for miles around, 

For species of certain kind, 
That nowhere could be found, 

The strain was telling on Noah's mind. 

Then Ham came a riding in, 

On something so very tall, 
Out of proportion — ugly as sin — 

And Noah could not recall 

Seeing an animal in all his life, 

That resembled a brute like that, 
Neither had his sons nor his wife, 

Which made it hard to combat. 

And when it came up to the door, 

They tried to shove it through, 
It reached above the second floor, 

Noah said: "God, this won't do!" 

They drove this brute back to the hill, 

For its mate could not be found: 
And when the ark began to fill, 

Hundreds were left aground. 



U G J 



The ark was crowded to overflow, 

And thousands of different kind, 
Were in a clime where alone they grow, 

And it were folly to attempt to find. 

So the windows of heaven were opened wide, 

To let the waters down — 
And that top-heavy ark, 'tis said, did ride, 

And floated round and round. 



150 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

When the food supply was getting low, 
And the animals began to die, 

Noah kept hopping to and fro, 

And thinking: "This joke's a lie." 

And when the ark commenced to reel, 

And totter on its side, 
All the crew began to squeal — 

And seek a place to hide. 

Of course, those animals understood, 
That they must do their best, 

And the faithful crew did all they could 
To keep the ark abreast. 

But in spite of faith, the ark was lost, 

So reason does declare: 
And we have believed at an awful cost, 

This thing was on the square. 



In the sixth chapter of Genesis some unknown 
writer has placed upon Moses the responsibility 
of giving out the story of the Deluge. This writer 
says that Moses said, that God said, that after a 
thorough test of co-mingling man, nature and the 
beasts, that the mind of man and the mind of 
beast were continually evil, and that He intended, 
and it is said executed, the plan to kill everything 
that breathed the breath of life: that he would 
destroy all seed and start things over again. 
In other words, do over again the work that he had 
evidently done so badly the first time. 



TAMING MAN 151 

With these intentions in mind God decided to 
take Noah in as a partner on the deal, and the 
latter' s duties would be to see to it that at least 
a pair of each living thing was saved in order that 
the stock which was to be destroyed would not 
utterly perish from the earth. Noah's task was 
anything but light when we consider that he had 
to find a pair of every animal, every fowl, and to 
keep them safely in an unsanitary closed boat for 
almost a year. Now of course this thing would be 
unbelievable were it not for one thing, and that was 
easily supplied by the superstitious ancient his- 
torians; when anything was beyond the bounds of 
reason and inexplainable they simply termed it 
a "Miracle" and let it go at that. Taking into con- 
sideration the transportation facilities of that age, 
and that most animals were too wild to be taken 
alive, that most of the animals, such as the lion, 
the bear, tiger, etc., were vicious, and that Noah 
had a very small crew to undertake such a task, 
we see that a miracle is an absolute necessity in 
this case. 

At one time I was guilty of teaching that absurd 
myth as truth. I tried to believe it because my 
father and mother believe it, and nearly all other 
people said they believed it, and of course they 
wanted me to believe as they did. Gradually I 
began to suspect that some of the boys of my class 
did not swallow that ark story; in fact I had direct 
evidence that one of the most mischievous of all, 
openly scouted the legend. That boy showed even 
at that early age evidence of possessing a mind of 
his own, and I have watched his rise through life 
until he now occupies a most responsible place in 



152 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

society and is a power in the financial world. He 
deserved it, for he could out-reason the old heads 
before he shed knee pants. 

I at one time believed that when I was in Rome I 
should do as Rome does; but I now know that I 
was mistaken in that: I shouldn't do anything of 
the kind: I now believe nothing without the strong- 
est reasons and proof that it is true. I take this 
opportunity to confess my earlier ignorance, and 
I sincerely regret that I was ever instrumental in 
imposing this and other mythical stories upon the 
impressionable minds of tender youths. I promise 
never again to promulgate any story that is not 
reasonable and founded upon TRUTH. It is 
unfair to take advantage of children in that manner, 
and hammer into their minds falsehood and super- 
stition — it is more than unfair, it is criminal. It 
matters not what was the faith and belief of our 
fathers, their time has passed, and the young should 
be encouraged to free and independent thinking 
and to believe only what their reason teaches 
them is TRUTH. No church, officer, nor parent, 
should have authority to place a limit upon the 
reasoning power of the human brain. Give the 
youth of today reign, give them perfect mental 
freedom, and if they undermine the foundation 
upon which our forefathers stood, do not become 
excited, this is an age of progress. If they attack 
the foundation upon which rests your political and 
religious belief, if you feel it jar and tremble, 
move on — place no barrier in their way — and when 
it tumbles to ruin no doubt you will find that they 
have erected in its stead something that has life, 
that is as solid as Gibralter — that goes down to 
the bed rock of everlasting Truth. 



TAMING MAN 153 

Here is a sample of what you believe and what 
you want to enforce on the youth of our country. 
That the universe was made in six days, out of 
nothing, by a god that resembles in every way a 
man; a being that is Omnipotent, mighty enough 
to make the heavens, the sun, moon, gleaming 
stars and flashing meteors, the planets, the universe, 
the solar systems: create all the beautiful and 
wonderful phenomena in nature, and then feel tired 
and exhausted and had to rest on the seventh day. 
Then after his rest, he begun work again, and with 
a little of the dust of the earth he produces his 
most wonderful creation — a man. As a habitation 
for the man he plants a beautiful garden of fruits 
and flowers, and for his helpmate creates a woman 
from part of the man's body. He places these 
two perfect creatures within the garden and gives 
them a set of rigid dietary rules; he then creates 
a slimy snake and permits it to wind its hideous 
length into the paradise and set at naught his 
instructions as to diet — a reptile that could out- 
reason the highest creature he had made, in other 
words, endowed with more intelligence than the 
prize creation of the diety. That this same God 
then pronounced the curse of slavery, disease and 
death on the entire human family. Now, my dear 
Christian friend, is that not an accurate photo- 
graph of your idea of the beginning of things? 

Can you blame the children from asking such 
shocking questions as these? Why did not God 
make the man and the woman with more intelli- 
gence than the snake? Why leave them so in- 
efficient that they would become easy prey to the 
first beast that happened along? It would have 



154 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

been as easy for God to make man strong as to make 
him weak. Why did not God say, "Now, children, 
I am going to leave you for awhile, as I have other 
business that I must oversee : if you see a long, slick 
thing with spots on it, a forked tongue and a dan- 
gerous looking eye, and traveling on its belly, that's 
a snake: take a club and strike it on the head and 
kill it, for it is very wise and if you listen to wisdom 
you are likely to get into trouble with me. Beware, 
beware!" Oh, you say, that was to test man's 
strength and his will power, and besides it was 
God's way and should not be questioned any way. 
In other words, you will admit that the Omnipotant 
did not know whether he had succeeded in his 
experiment of making man out of dust and woman 
out of a bone, that he was inexperienced in this 
line of manufacture and must test out the samples, 
and that upon the test they proved a failure, the 
job had been botched. 

How much better it would have been to have 
this story follow a human baby through the natural 
channels of evolution, to see it grow in strength 
and wisdom and profit by the experiences of life, 
to see it smash the head of any poisonous reptile 
that crossed its path, to see it too true to itself, 
too strong, to attempt to accuse its weaker mate, 
the flower of his love, tempting him to wrong doing. 
At any rate the old process proved a failure and we 
have more confidence in the natural way of pro- 
ducing men and women than we have in the mud 
and bone method . 

THE CHRISTIAN GOD: They make him 
all-powerful, the omnipotent, the all in all, and 
give him the mysterious birth and death of a Christ, 



TAMING MAN 155 

making this god his own father, giving him two 
heads, and then by ringing in another mystery, 
giving him a total of three heads — the father, the 
son and the holy ghost — a great god-head that can 
do no wrong, endowed with the power to save or 
damn the whole human race — making him respon- 
sible for the bloody commercial and religious wars 
and the butchery of millions of human beings. 
Then term him the Prince of Peace and cloth him 
with the power to bring the dead to life, restore 
sight to the blind, and claiming for him such won- 
derful Love that he submits to debasing crucifixion 
that the world might be saved from a hell of his 
own manufacture. Then give him a nature that 
is jealous, vengeful, dangerous, portraying him at 
one and the same time as the merciful — loving 
father and a monster to be blindly obeyed and 
adored under penalty of death, hell and vengeance. 
All this in a volume, the most contradictory and 
vague the world has ever known, and claiming for 
it perfection, regardless of the fact that it is entirely 
out of tune with all natural law and reason — a 
book so worthless and irrational that to all who 
dare think rational, it is considered a literary joke! 
But we are rapidly outgrowing the "man-made- 
out-of-dust" story and the other imagery and dreams 
of primative man; we are speaking with less awe 
of the windows of heaven, the corn-stalk ark — 
the streets of gold and gates of pearl. Our secret 
convistions are that these tales are not true: our 
God is a natural creator and a force that is far 
above the petty emotions that sway man. Our 
scholars will admit that at times most of the earth's 
flat surface has been flooded by water, the deluge 



156 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

resulting from great natural unheavals and dis- 
turbances and that but little water fell from the 
4 'open windows of heaven," and that only those 
creatures who happen to be in the path of shifting 
seas and flooded rivers suffered a cutting off from 
their kind. 



THE OLD HILL FARM. 

If my parents ever committed what, in the light 
of reason, could be termed a sinful act, I have never 
heard of it. I stood by my mother's death bed 
when the fever germs were gnawing at the seat of 
her life. In her fight with the grim monster she 
had dwindled away until she was little more than 
a living skeleton. She did not want to die, yet there 
was nothing in life, that I could see, that was 
of interest to her, except the ties of earthly friend- 
ship, and they were few, and her life was burdened 
with care and hardship. For days before the end 
came the curtain would fall until life was almost 
extinct, then by some mysterious turn in nature 
would rise a little and we would again feel hope 
and encouragement, and superstitiously say, "I 
believe God will let her live." Then the end came, 
the curtain descended with a rush, her feeble struggles 
ceased and we knew that the grim reaper had con- 
quered. 

I was sad, yet relieved, because the struggle 
between her and that monster was unequal, and 



TAMING MAN 157 

my heart bled for her. At no time was there a 
sign from the power against which she struggled 
that in any way resembled an emotion of pity, 
love or mercy. I called "Mother," but she did 
not speak; I called louder but she did not hear. 
Then superstition and darkness whispered, "God 
has taken her away, she was too good a woman to 
longer remain down here." I did not believe it 
then, and now I know it was not true. I kissed 
that cold brow and consigned her to the way that 
all life must go. 

Then my father, bent with toil and the burdens 
of a long and useful life, in his struggles became 
exhausted and succumbed. Both these aged people 
had been devoted Christians and were slaves to 
the Christian system and the Christian faith. How 
often have I heard them say, "God has been mer- 
ciful to me." But I cannot recall to mind where 
the God they worshipped ever performed one kind 
act for either — not one thing to lighten the burdens 
under which they labored. In reality he never 
spoke a word of cheer or comfort — never gave a 
bite of meat or a loaf of bread. 

When my father's struggles ended I begged his 
cold corpse to speak to me; in my ingorance my 
appeal to that dead body was akin to madness. 
When my reason returned I discovered that the 
life blood had left his face, his heart had ceased to 
beat, and nothing remained but the husks of death — 
the shell of what had once contained a man. 

My friends, when a body answers not when I 
speak to it, when I learn that it lacks intelligence, 
that it has no power to express emotions, to move 
objects or exibit life, I lose interest in it then and 



158 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

there. The part of life that I am interested in is 
that which displays intelligence — that which thinks 
and feels, knows and acts; which has the power to 
reason — is sympathetic, knowing right from wrong; 
that which tears away the cloak of ignorance and 
superstition, clears the debris from blind ditches, 
drives away the black clouds, turns night into day, 
lights up my road on the journey through life and 
holds the key to the gates of heaven. 

This is the part that can't die. That cannot be 
buried in a grave. There could be no heaven with- 
out this part. 

It is this part that has snatched the wings from 
the angels, refused the monotony of a gold paved 
New Jerusalem, defies kings, laughs and pities 
when we sing of a day of judgment. 

Is it Intelligence that sings of a "Great Day 
Coming?" What is it that says the graves shall 
give up their dead, and my father, your father, our 
brothers, sisters and children will stand before a 
King to be judged for deeds done in the body? 
This that I am interested in, and that you should 
be interested in, asks What? Ignorance grins in 
the face of Intelligence, and parrots, "We will see 
what is written about that!" 

Intelligence, with an intelligent smile, mingled 
with pity and disgust, thunders on the foundations 
of darkness with such force that it trembles like 
a frail structure that stands near an earthquake 
scene. Dead bodies cannot enter heaven's sphere; 
we each have a body that is not subject to disease 
nor ills of the flesh, NOR TO DEATH. Super- 
stition says, "Take the Bible for a guide." In- 
telligence says the Bible is a man-made book and 



TAMING MAN 159 

no God had anything to do with it/" Then you 
cry, "God," has establish a church. The part that 
I am interested in says churches are established by 
man and no God has anything to do with them. 
Superstition says, "Teach a dangerous doctrine." 
Intelligence says, "It is that falsehood that has 
kept the people ignorant of beautiful truths, and 
made a hell on earth for the masses. 

Ah, thou hideous monster, who art thou, who will 
hide from the face of truth and worship in the abyss 
of darkness? 



THE OLD HILL FARM. 

I had pictured in my mind 

Things as they used to be: 
But nothing did I find, 

And no face did I see. 

No one I knew when I was there, 
For things had changed around: 

Nothing to home I could compare 
Except the lay of ground. 

The old rail fence was torn away, 
The roads and streams were changed, 

Where I wondered in childhood day, 
Out on the mountain range. 

The little orchard on the hill, 
Had grown to mammoth size: 

When I entered the trees stood still 
As though they were surprised. 



160 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

And when I shook the maidenblush, 
Where the maiden blushed at me, 

The fruit came tumbling with a rush, 
I felt so good and free. 

That fair one so sweet and proud, 
Had watched me on that day, 

And in a voice soft though loud, 
So gently to me did say, 

''Did you think I didn't know, 

About your visit here? 
Since heaven has arranged it so, 

I'll enter now your sphere." 

We talked of days gone by, 

Of times that is to be, 
I fought against it but had to cry 

As I am doing now you see. 

She talked of heaven and heavenly things, 
She walked right by my side: 

She was an angel; just lacked the wings, 
She them from me did hide. 

And when she said, "I'm growing weak," 

I pleaded with her to stay 
And when she could no longer speak, 

She rose and flew away. 

I stood by the old walled well: 
Talked with a dear old friend, 

A suggestion did me compel, 
A message to heaven send. 



TAMING MAN 161 

And one by one, there came to me, 

A host of friends that day : 
And those dear friends watched to see 

What the voice of the dead would say. 

Mother spoke in a voice so low, 
That many there did recognize 

In language they knew was so, 

They said, "an angel in disguise." 

They were proud of the old hill farm, 

But, in somewhat of a stew: 
Voices of the dead fell with alarm: 

On this group of curious few. 

The old log house where I was born, 

With its chimney built of clay, 
Where mother toiled from early morn, 

Had all been torn away. 

The grand old hills and the lay of land, 

The builders in the cliff, 
Were about as nature had planned, 

When glacier made her shift. 

Then I roamed about and tried to find, 
Those beautiful plumaged birds: 

That we had left so far behind, 
That used to fly in herds. 

But it's man's delight to shoot and kill, 

What er'e comes in his way, 
To satisfy a devilish will, 

And hound them night and day. 



162 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

And those earthly friends so kind to me, 
May heaven help them to find, 

A way that they can with me agree, 
That their God is deaf and blind. 

Seeing and hearing by faith don't go with me. 
I know as much about this God theory as Billy 
Sunday, or any other man knows. The GODS 
that write and talk to me, that gives evidence of 
life and intelligence, are GODS in deed and in 
truth. 



THE ABUSED SON OF JOSEPH. 

To that dearest man whom Mary gave birth 

Two thousand years ago, 
Who walked and taught upon this earth, 

Of whom we long to know. 

The example whether false or true, 

On this mundane sphere of life 
We act as though we never knew: 

In this hard world of strife. 

Those things he did command, 

That we should not partake 
Has richly flourished on every hand, 

While watching at his wake. 

There was a Christ we can't deny, 
Whose life was sore with thorn; 

Respect the example for him we cry 
And all the world should mourn. 



TAMING MAN 163 

Long have we prayed and watched in vain 

For a message or a sign, 
And hoped that he would come again, 

To prove his omnipotence divine. 

T'was said Christ would return soon, 

But since this good man died, 
Has been as silent as the tomb: 

And heaven's secrets hide. 

When he does his message send, 

T'will clear away the cloud: 
For Jesus will the truth defend, 

The rebuke is strong and loud. 

For those things that we've been taught 

Are fiction good and strong: 
That the world so dearly bought 

Worked a cruel and awful wrong. 

His influence in the world was lost: 

Since that sad and fatal day — 
Christ was forsaken on the cross, 

No word of cheer to us could say. 



THE VOICE OF THE DEAD. 

Because of my interest in the psychology of the 
soul, and desirous of having the people understand 
the phenomenon; I am giving here extracts by the 
consent of the Author! "The Voice Of The Dead, or 
Elizabeth Blakes Phenomenon." Hoping to attract 
attention to the book. 



164 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

INTRODUCTION. 

When you kneel beside the death bed, you con- 
sciously appeal to some unknown power which you 
feel sure exists somewhere; you know not where, 
nor what it is. The most common expression at 
such a time is, "Oh, God, have mercy." This 
appealing term has been handed down from time 
immemmorial. 

When the loved one is laid in the coffin you will 
stand by the bier and look down on the pinched, 
pitiful face, so pale, silent and cold. 

It is then that we break into weeping and are 
overcome with despair, and the darkness of night 
seems to encircle the soul, for we realize that never, 
never again, will the rigid waxen figure answer to 
one's voice. The desire to again meet the loved 
one may be a sentiment, to which nature may answer 
through the voice of science. 

Is the meaning of " Spiritualism' ' to be trans- 
formed meaning nothing but deception and illusion ? 
Are we to stand by and watch the great army of 
Charlatans march by reaping a harvest of wealth 
and disgracing Spiritualism with fraud and trickery ? 

Are we to remain in this Chaotic state and make 
no effort to clear away the fraud and deception? 
We have been riding down the stream of life on a 
craft of indolence. Now that we are awakening 
and the fog is clearing away, let us one and all 
unite our efforts with that of the Society for Psychi- 
cal Research, and try to make some distinction be- 
tween deceit and reality. 

1* v ^F n* 

A challenge has been offered through the voice of 



TAMING MAN 165 

telepathy beckoning us to the field of science to 
combat with the many mysterious phenomena of 
which we are now surrounded. 

Reader, could there be a grander victory than to 
compel nature to surrender to us the secrets of our 
future destiny, that we may know beyond' a doubt 
what becomes of us after death? Can you imagine 
what a transformation there could be among 
humanity if the proofs of immortal intelligence were 
established. Many of our present religions would 
meet their downfall — but then religion, like every- 
thing else was born to die. Many religions have 
been born, lived their lives of thrift, performed their 
sacred duties, only to become infested with the 
germ of advanced wisdom — to die and be laid to 
rest among the files of ancient creeds to be sprinkled 
with the dust of time. 

Our present ideas of nature could be turned from 
top to bottom. 

We would learn that we had been living in a world 
of complicated errors, while all the time existed 
these natural laws hidden so well that but few 
people have had the courage and ambition to enter 
what would at first seem to be a field of fables, 
which would prove nothing but the loss of time 
and the humiliation of the investigators. Scientific 
men have in the past been letting the subject slip 
past them. 

They have been skeptical on account of their 
inherited prejudice, also on account of their al- 
legiance to opposing theories and because they 
have been connected with institutions which could 
not approve of such investigation. 

The people who believe in Spiritualism are the 



166 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

most intelligent class of people. We find among 
them people of every profession, and these are the 
best thinking people. For this reason alone it would 
seem that there must be some truth behind it all. 

There are hundreds of thousands of people who 
attend seances and honestly believe what they hear 
and see to be above our intelligence. 

There are so many people who believe in Spiritual- 
ism, and at the same time will not acknowledge the 
fact, not even to their best friends. 
. This is due to fear of ridicule from those who have 
never attended a seance. Ask anyone who has 
attended his first seance what he thinks of the 
manifestations. The answer is most likely to be, 
"I don't know, there is something strange about it, 
something I do not understand." Invariably every 
personwho attends a seance becomes fascinated with 
what they witness and each following experience in- 
creases the fascination. The result is they eventually 
become earnest believers. 

Ask a person who has never attended a seance 
what he thinks about Spiritualism. Such a person 
will say there is nothing in it. 

Ask him to show a proof of his assertion and he 
will find that he is at sea. Ask him why he is a dis- 
believer and you will find, that he is a prejudiced 
person, and in fact know snothing about the mani- 
festations. 

Some people who have witnessed the phenomena 
and acknowledged it to be some outside power, say, 
"It is the devil's work." This is the most foolish 
expression that can be uttered — yet it has a mean- 
ing. It reveals the fact that such a person is a 
fanatic. Therefore, any idea which would oppose 



TAMING MAN 167 

such a person's theory, would in the fanatic's 
mind be a falsehood or the devil's work. Of course, 
it is not the devil's work, but if the devil can make 
people so happy by helping them to converse with 
the departed it would be just to say, "God bless the 
dear old devil." This expression expresses a law 
which is right. Bless everything, the evil spirits 
included. 

They are all in the universe of God. Ask any 
scientist of the occult for his decision and he will 
tell you that the strange and marvelous actions are 
caused by forces and governed by intelligence out- 
side, beyond and independent of the control of the 
persons at the seance. The demonstrations are not 
the result of actions on the part of the living beings 
in our present form. They are not under the con- 
trol of known powers of our present life or of our 
thought as distinguished from bodily existence. 
Scientists are careful to go no further than their 
own observations go. 

The majority of mediums are women. This can 
be attributed to the fact that women give more 
time and thought to religion than men, and religion 
is always a question of the destiny of the soul. 

While there are many genuine mediums, many are 
fraudulent, lacking either the faculty or faking it 
at times when the conditions are not favorable and 
sitters demand something. 

We have more reason to believe in Spiritualism 
than we have to doubt it, although the greatest 
number of people do doubt it. The world may 
doubt a thing and yet it be true. The whole world 
may believe a thing and yet it be untrue. This 
proves nothing. 



168 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

Since numbers are no vindication. Over a hun- 
dred million people have kissed the big toe of the 
statue of St. Peter in Rome, and surely the Roman 
Catholic Church contains a vast number of highly- 
educated people. 

The statement was made by Mr. Kellog, of New 
York, that the "Fox Sisters" acknowledged that 
they were fakes. 

Proof that this statement is incorrect, we quote 
here a paragraph from the "Voice of the Dead, Or 
Elizabeth Blake's Phenomenon." Those wishing to 
know the correct history of the "Fox Sisters," we 
advise that they purchase a copy of the above 
named book, from the Author and publisher, 
Ernest G. Williams, Huntington, W. Va., the 
price of which is One Dollar. 

Extracts from the Voice Of the Dead : 

The attention of the family had been attracted 
by mysterious noises sounding like raps and some- 
times like the footsteps of an unseen person. 

Chairs, tables and other household articles, 
moved without the aid of human power. The dis- 
turbance increased to such an extent as to break 
the nightly repose of the entire family. They 
hoped and prayed that the strange noises which 
were harassing them would soon be cleared away. 

Their wishes and desires were of no avail. On 
Friday night, March 31st, 1848, they gave up hope 
and accepted their doom of disappointment. 

The following narrative is the words of Mrs. Owen, 
and is of special interest, if the reader wishes to 
know the origin, or being, of such tantalizing, yet 
interesting phenomena: 

The parents had moved the children's beds into 



TAMING MAN 169 

their bedrooms, and strictly enjoined them not 
to talk of noises even if they heard them. But 
scarcely had the mother seen them safely in bed, 
and was retiring when the children cried out, "Here 
they are again." The mother chided them and lay 
down, thereupon the voices became louder and more 
startling. The children sat up in bed. Mrs. Fox 
called her husband. 

The night being windy, it was suggested to him 
that it might be the rattling of the sashes. 

He tried several times to see if they were loose. 
Kate, the younger girl, happened to remark that as 
often as her father shook a window sash, the noise 
seemed to reply. 

Being a lively child, and in a measure accustomed 
to what was going on, she turned to where the noise 
was, snapped her finger, and called out, "Here, 
Old Splitfoot, do as I do." The knocking instantly 
responded. 

That was the commencement. Who can tell 

where the end will be ? 

* * * * 

Thereupon she asked her husband to call her 
neighbor, Mrs. Radfield, who came in laughing. 
But her cheer was soon changed. The answer to 
her inquiries were as prompt and pertinent as they 
had been to Mrs. Fox. She was struck with awe; 
and when in reply to a question about the number 
of her children, by rapping four instead of three, 
as she expected, it reminded her of a little daughter, 
Mary, whom she had recently lost; the mother 

burst into tears. 

* * * * 

In Corinthian Hall, of Rochester, public meetings 



170 



AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 



were held, under the direction of a Committee of 
prominent men, and the Fox Children were sub- 
mitted to the most severe tests. 

They were compelled to appear nude before a 
committee of ladies, and every test was reported 
in favor of the Fox Children. 



MORRIS'S ENCYCLOPEDIA. 



War: 



Battle : 



Battleground 



Battleship: 



An unnatural state of affairs in 
the human family. 

Generally referring to conflicts 
between men; as a battle with 
swords, guns, knives, clubs, bombs 
suffocating and poisonous gases, 
explosives or with any weapon 
or instrument that will disable, 
mangle, cripple or cause death. 

Referring to that part of the 
country where battles are fought, 
where men are pitched against 
the other for the purpose of over- 
powering and mangling the other. 

Known as a man of war: a vessel 
equipped with heavy guns: 
capable of throwing projectiles 
and bombs and explosives a 



TAMING MAN 



171 



Duel: 



Fighting : 



Soldier: 
Bayonet 



great distance with mighty force: 
used to disable and destroy ships 
of the enemy that trespass on the 
water that belong to nations of 
foreign flags, and for bombarding 
cities and strongholds, and for the 
destruction of property and life. 

A fight between two or more men, 
arbitrarily, for the settlement of 
disputes. A duel is supposed to 
be a fight to death: it is the cus- 
tom in a duel to fight with rifle, 
pistol, revolver, sword or knife. 
Whatever the fate of men who 
fight a duel he is supposed to 
lie quiet, and lay in no com- 
plaint until the day of judgment. 

Men fighting, bulls fighting, dogs 
fighting, wolves fighting, snakes 
fighting, cocks fighting, hogs 
fighting. 

A man trained in the art of 
fighting and killing men. 

A sharp instrument fitted on the 
end of a gun barrel used to com- 
pel obedience and to stab and 
kill. 



Dreadnaught : 



A man-of-war : fitted with modern 
fighting equipment, a ship used 



172 



AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 



Torpedo : 



Submarine 



Zeppelin: 



Battle Plane 



Tame 



for the destruction of property 
and to compel respect of a foreign 
nation or faction. 

A high projectile, that when 
released from a submarine, or 
torpedo boat, is automatically 
propelled through the water at 
high speed toward its prey, and 
is capable of blowing up and 
sinking the largest vessel afloat. 

An undersea fighting craft used 
for blowing up and sinking ships 
and fighting squadrons with tor- 
pedoes. 

An air craft propelled by engines, 
used by civilized nations in war 
for the destruction of wealth, 
by dropping dangerous explo- 
sives in cities and on public 
institutions. 

Flying machines used by civilized 
nations for the destruction of 
property and life, and the tor- 
menting of the enemy by dropping 
explosives, and darts, on the 
enemy: also small cannon is used 
by fighting machines that fight 
in the air. 

To drive out the savage and 
render docile. The modern ap- 



TAMING MAN 



173 



Infidel: 



Christian 



plication means to teach the 
nations of earth that it is a crime 
to shed human blood. That War 
is a crime — to teach that it is 
ignorant and barbarous and 
criminal to destroy life. 

Any one who is qualified and has 
the courage to undermine the 
foundation of the church faiths, 
and Christian doctrine. One who 
refuses to compromise with the 
errors of religions. 

One who believes in the reverse of 
infidelism; one who can not be- 
lieve in rationalism. 



Faith : To believe a thing to be true. It is generally 
supposed that to have the faith 
to believe in a doctrine, — whether 
that doctrine is true or not, is a 
matter of little concern Faith 
is the redeeming and saving 
foundation. 



Modern Explanation: One can have the faith 

to believe in another's hon- 
esty, and that person be 
dishonest : one can have the 
faith to believe that a cer- 
tain mode of baptism or 
doctrine is essential unto 
salvation, and yet there be 



174 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

no truth or virtue in that 
faith or belief. 
Sword: An emblem of honor: resembling 

a butcher knife. A sword is a 

butcher knife. 



Spiritualism: 



Spirit Return: 



Anarchy: 



Pertaining to spirits; meaning the 
return of the spirit. Spiritualism 
does not convey an inteligent 
meaning. 

The return of the spirit. Super- 
sedes spiritualism. 

A man who believes that men 
should be good enough to live 
peaceable, with one another and 
treat each other brotherly, with- 
out any law: the theory is in- 
correct — and contrary to human 
nature. 



EVIL SPIRITS. 

The following message is an explanation in answer 
to a question of Mr. McQuain, as to the theory of 
the supposed evil spirits that investigators are 
endeavoring to solve. 

Message Given to 

R. 0. Morris, at 

Huntington, W. Va. 

May 22, 1916. 

There is no such thing as evil spirits as many 



TAMING MAN 175 

believe ; but there are spirits that are not intelligent 
or sane. 

It is accounted for in this way! it depends on 
several conditions. In the spirit life it is different! 
an intelligent person with you might be insane 
here, that depends on the sphere in which they are 
in. No one can determine your spheres. 

You at least can reason out these things in this 
light. It pays to live right and do all the good in 
the world that you can and the better you know 
natural law, the less you know of the myths and the 
superstition of the world, the more active the man 
or woman, the better off they will be here. 

Usually people of a dilatory, lazy disposition will 
be sluggish when they pass into these spheres. Now 
suppose you, through your medium powers, are 
connected with a spirit that had not taken on the 
spirit body in full strength or is too weak physically 
— as well as in mind to understand conditions here. 
Could you expect the information that they impart 
to you to be reliable? NO. The spirit or the 
person must grow under the evolution law which is 
"Nature's God" and through effort we grow strong. 
The law that the people of earth should learn about 
is evolution; for on this is founded the intelligence 
of all that there is and all that there ever was and all 
that there ever can be. The world was not made 
in a few days and your world is only a tiny speck 
in the great realm of the universe and there are 
worlds that are revolving in space unfinished — and 
this law in nature will never end. 

The whirling planets, — many of them are 
gathering substance and have been for thousands 
If years, and will continue to whirl in space all 
through eternity. 



176 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

How foolish of you to think that puny man will 
ever solve this great unexplored mystery in nature 
and how childish to believe that the bible god 
inspired men to write a book — that only confuses 
the people and keeps the world on its knees and in 
darkness. The bible teaches nothing at all — about 
the foundation of natural law, It has something to 
say about evil spirits — and that is where men like 
Russell, and many others get their superstitious ideas. 
The bible and its interpreters, will never solve any- 
thing that pertain to natural law, and the mysteries 
of the natural creator. 

The writer that made the statement that there 
are evil spirits and that the spirits acknowleged 
it — was either in touch with hell or insane spirits, or 
a low intelligence, otherwise he lied. I doubt if 
men of that frame of mind, who are insane on the 
bible, could communicate with the high spiritual 
intelligence. 

As your manuscript is finished, we will have 
nothing more to say on the subject — but will 
continue to give information from this side through 
you and as the people want it you can give it to the 
world. 

Barron Accountis. 



EXTRACTS FROM CONVERSATIONS. 

Teasing our spirit friends proves their wit and 
humor, and gives us food for thought. Among the 



TAMING MAN 177 

thousands of extracts from conversations that have 

taken place between myself and spirit frisnds, 

people who are supposed to be dead, are a few listed 

Won't you allow me to stroke my hand over your 

hair, little angel? 

Answer: You need not be bashful, you won't offend 

me. 

The little angel knew the joke was on me. 

Won't you give me a bright plumaged feather out 
of your wing Crape Murtle? 

Answer: I am not a chicken, a goose nor a spirit. 
I am a person as much so as you or any of your 
earthly associates. 

Barron Accountas: Do you look just as I saw you 
last night? Were those real roses that I saw in your 
hair? Do you have eyes and complexion like that? 
Are people in the spirit world so beautiful and fair? 
Answer: Do you look just as I see you? Do you 
favor your self? I would like to see some of the 
imaginary paintings of Heaven. Do you think I 
brought those roses from earth? Take all of the 
artificial out of the world, earth would compare more 
favorable with our home. It was me that you see. 
We have asked you to correct the misguided idea, 
spirit world. Suppose that we were just spirits, — as 
many earthly friends believe, — there would be but 
little of the real here. You are a teacher — you 
must know before you can teach. 
Question: Why is it that you open and close Seances 
with prayer? 

Answer: That is governed by conditions and en- 
viron. At your seances we have perfect liberty — 



178 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

and understand that you are a seeker of truth. 
We need not open and close your seances with 
prayer, yet under certain conditions it might be 
well to do so; but people should pray to something 
that has the power of speech. It will be more 
interesting, when Jesus, the son of Joseph gets in 
communication with the people of earth through 
psychic power. 



THE REMEDY. 

After all this thrashing and wrestling and ex- 
posure of what we believe to be false religions — 
inefficiency of governments, to cope with the great 
problems that confront us — should I fail to offer 
a sane remedy for the correcting of the lame, de- 
fective and imperfection in governments — and the 
healing of the body politic — I have only disturbed 
the already restless minds of the people and helped 
them to see the danger-pits that we have fallen into. 

The remedy can be given in a short paragraph. 
When the people have enough of tariff revision, — 
of duties that should or should not be, money 
standards, banking systems, labor strikes, and 
riots — adjustments of wage scales — Ludlow massa- 
cres and Paint-Creek wars — Wars at home and 
abroad — gamble, confusion, debating and mis-un 
derstanding — class hatred, the hounding of one 
another, the robbing and keeping in poverty, 
heaping hardships on one class and grinding out 



TAMING MAN 179 

millionaires — and enthroning the other — in other 
words when you have enough of hell on earth. 

You will learn that there is only one sane, sound, 
logical and sure remedy. 

THAT IS, TO BUILD ON A BASIS OF TRUTH, 
AND LET THE PEOPLE IN THESE UNITED 
STATES, COME TOGETHER, IN THE SPIRIT 
OF INTELLIGENCE AND BROTHERHOOD, 
AND ERASE FROM THEIR MEMPRY THE 
PAST POLITICAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS 
AND PARTY DIVISIONS, AND ENDORSE A 
POLITICAL FOUNDATION BASED ON AN 
UNDIVIDED PEOPLE AND BIND TOGETHER 
IN UNISON THE NATIONS OF EARTH. 



ARISTOTLE MESSAGES. 

Message No. 1 

Huntington, W. Va., May 11, 1916. 

8 o'clock, A. M. 

We are going to tell you some more in regard to 
the work, you are to do, and you must obey us 
in all things we tell you to do. 

You are getting along very fast now, with the 
work and we want you to get along much faster 
than you have been. We have now arranged to 
talk to you soon and if you keep at the work, 
right ahead, we can do much better and it will 



180 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

be such help to you in developing for the trumpet- 
work, as we are expecting to establish the phe- 
nomenon of the spirits return soon, and in this way 
we can help you out on the sale of the book. 

For when people hear us talk • in circles, they 
become more anxious to learn of the truth. And 
a few who get to hear us frcm this side will be 
a big advertisement for the book, and we under- 
stand that is going to be your means of support, 
as you go from place to place spreading the truth. 

We are all so much interested in both you and 
Mr. Morris that we are going to establish the truth 
as it has never been before; as some people are 
doubting about the work you are doing and we 
want to prove without a doubt that it is us on this 
side of life that can make man famous, as the world 
counts fame and we are going to prove that. As 
so many of your friends who have known you so 
long and to be honorable in all things, it is in that 
way that we are much interested about your devel- 
oping so fast and quick, as this is an almost unusual 
thing for one to develope in so short a time, and for 
this reason we are going to prove to the world, 
that when people get rid of their superstition, 
they then can pray to the living God and he will 
answer their prayers, and that we are the ones that 
they should ask for the favors they need in this 
life and not some mythical God as do the heathen, 
and we have now found in you men the kind of 
material to give out some things, that we have 
long hoped for the world to know. 

And we are so happy, that we can hardly control 
you for joy, that we have at last found some 
one with courage of their convictions, to stand 



TAMING MAN 181 

up and show to the world that the spirit friends are 
able to deliver to those who will ask them and obey 
what they tell them, as the old time people did in 
the old bible times. 

But people now days think their preachers are 
the only medium they need and as long as they send 
their children to Sunday School and hear a sermon 
once in a while that everything is O. K. for heaven. 
We want you to get them in the lost trail, and help 
them to see the folly of their ways and their faith, 
as they deny even what Jesus taught when with 
them, and have adopted creeds and doctrines to 
teach the people and they are all like sheep without 
a shepherd. You now have made a beginning to 
show to the insane world the folly of their ways, 
and we want to see the work go right ahead without 
a stop and save or bring to the truth a few of those 
who will soon pass to our side of life. 

We are giving you the keys to unlock the store- 
house of knowledge and let your knowledge so shine 
that the world will be amazed at the things you 
may do — and don't forget we are all arranging 
to give the you knowledge as fast as you can 
understand it. 

All knowledge from the beginning of man is at 
our hand to deliver to you, as you get able to re- 
ceive it, and the world will be changed from the 
work you are starting to do — and your names will 
go down in history as the great reformers of the 
world. 

A monument of knowledge is now being con- 
structed to enlighten you — do not be surprised at 
this — the olden prophets wrote, the Lord God had 
chosen^the weak things to confound the so called 
wise. 



182 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

When the world knows what you have done to 
reform the superstition of the people, then will 
be such an other time as when the continent of 
America was discovered. 

This time it is a continent of knowledge long 
buried in the sands of time. And we are going 
to rend the veil of ignorance that has long hidden 
the people from the truth, so much essential to 
their welfare here on the earth as a people. 

And we want this thing of blood and murder of 
men driven from the earth forever, — Oh! that the 
time is ripe and we have found in you men of the 
hills a great treasure house of the spiritual structure 
on which we can build this truth. 

It is so, Oh! so rejoicing to us we hardly know 
what to tell you first. 

We will now close on account of your strength — 
until this evening at three o'clock after you take 
a short sleep in which you may see some things of 
interest to you, as now you must put yourselves 
in our care and we will advise you as to what to do. 

We have not till now thought best, to take entire 
control of you, but from now on you must expect 
to begin to do the things that we have been telling 
you about. 

And the reason we have not heretofore done this, 
you perhaps would not have neither understood, 
or even been able to have stood the strain. 

But now as Mr. Morris is here, and all is in har- 
mony as to your belief and knowledge, we are 
going to take complete control of you. 

Nora, you must be as kind to him for awhile as 
you can as he will be some weak and not subject 
to much excitement for awhile. But never fear, 



TAMING MAN 183 

he is alright and we are going to take care of him 
from now on. And you may soon be surprised at 
the things that happen at this place and Huntington 
will think some of the old prophets, have come back 
or ones with authority, and now as to the many 
things we have written show only to Mrs. Blake, 
Sunday, when you go over and this will give her 
great encouragement in her failing years, as she 
has been so abused by the people in the past. 

This will be a bouquet of thanks to her, for her 
work so near done, — she was the vessel we have 
long found worthy to keep the truth boiling in, 
— and now we are placing this on more able shoul- 
ders to establish for the whole world. 

A great many mediums are sincere but they lack 
courage, and some lack even strength, and have 
been delicate in handling the subject and writing 
truth, — too much in sympathy with the established 
customs of earth and not stroking the scales from 
the eyes of the people — and now that the time is 
ripe for more truth on these ancient subjects the 
people are in ignorance of and are beginning to 
even see the folly of a great deal of it in every day 
lfie. 

The world is hungering for a lasting peace and 
a brotherhood of the human race. 

We understand all these things over here and we 
know what we are specking of. May Omnipotent 
power be added to all of you servants in this great 
fight for deliverance of humanity, from superstition, 
ignorance, and folly, that has soaked continents 
with blood and tears for many centuries, — and the 
world will never have history to tell one millioneth 
part of the great afflction this old mundane sphere 



184 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

has endured through the greed and lust of sinful 
men in authority, who resisted the spread of truth 
and knowledge in the world. 

We must close, but there is so much to teach you 
that we regret to leave off now for even a short 
time. 

God Almighty for ever and ever the same bless 
this message to you all, now, — and the whole 
world later. 

Good-Bye; — from one who is from the spheres of 
the higher knowledge, that you can't yet understand. 

This message was written by Aristotle of old. 

George M. Weese and others controlling the 
medium. 

Good-Bye. 



Message No. 2. 

May 11, 1916. 3 p. m. 

We are ready to again give you a little more of 
the news from this side of life, — and will say that 
this is the greatest day in your life's history as we 
are now developing the latent powers in you that 
has long been dormant, — and might have remained 
so through life, — had not you found out that you 
had access to a fountain of knowledge that never 
has been fathomed by man's mortal mind. 

And it is only through us on this side of life that 
these things can be learned. 

Go right on, — when people begin to pray in deed 
and in truth then and then only, can they expect 
to have their prayers answered. And prayer is 



TAMING MAN 185 

this: simply ask the great realm of intelligence that 
surrounds the whole universe. 

That is prayer, — and prayer indeed. 

Reason it this way; Was it a mythical prayer 
that brought you into being in this universe? No, 
it was the association of thoughts, that were in 
unison with each other, together with animal 
conditions that produces the man and soul that 
never dies. 

And this is only a feeble thought in regard to this 
so-called difficult problems of the scientists of earth, 
— and as you grow in strength so it is that you grow 
in knowledge here in life. And when growth stops, 
then we begin to grow feeble in body. Then later 
the body becomes unfit to retain the accumulated 
knowledge and reason and as the old body becomes 
too much of a care to them this same thought, 
or soul, leaves the body in the change called death, 
and puts on its immortality on our side of life and 
continues to grow in a knowledge of real wisdom 
that is as abundant as the elements in which you 
live, — and when people realize some of these truths, 
then they will not make so many terrible blunders 
in producing their offspring, in foolish error, and 
waste their most sacred blessings of life in foolish 
play and foolhardy so-called pleasure. 

This thought, or the beginning of man should be 
to each man and woman the greatest and most 
sacred thought of their life, and then there would 
soon die out of life the germs of disease that is 
troubling this world with so much early death, 
and causing so much ignorance that we have to 
contend with, on this side of life. 

We now hope that we can make this strong enough 



186 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

through you, that this one terrible monster may be 
hounded away from the people, — and when this 
is better understood and society of earth learn 
how to handle these great evils, then will the an- 
swer to the prayers of the saints be given, — and 
the kingdoms of earth will be more in harmony with 
the kingdom of heaven. "AND AMEN! AND 
AMEN!" For as long as the people continue to 
bring their offsprings in the world diseased, deformed, 
weak and half nourished, — just so long will ignorance 
abound and they will not be sound in body enough 
to ever learn very much in this life. 

And it will be AGES before they can reach the 
higher spheres over here, — and in their terrible 
effort to help their friends left on earth at death, 
they will still be of little use in correcting the evil 
here. 

So now you see one thing in the light of know- 
ledge that have for so long hindered the spirits 
prestige with the earth friends. The spirit friends 
nearest earth of course are always called for, instead 
of those who have reached the higher spheres, 
as they are dearest to them by the ties of nature. 

And it is this that leads to much confusion with 
the people at seances, — no matter who the medium 
or how well qualified as the medium is not respon- 
sible for the message. 

The medium can only allow the spirit called for 
to talk and say what they will ; and if they even would 
suggest to only give room for those spirits who 
know, — the most people would say, "Just as I 
expected, — that medium is a fake." None of my 
people talked, and the medium may have read all 
that I heard in some lost volumn; — instead they 



TAMING MAN 187 

are content to talk for all time to their insane 
friends who have just left an insane world, who 
are so much in fear of the judgment or the wrath 
of God, that they are almost afraid to even try 
for a higher sphere, until they are here a long time. 

0, that the world would search for wisdom from 
its original source instead of denying it. 

Then we could occasionally send a message that 
would amount to something in the world. 

But as long as man in his few years tries to fathom 
out the mysteries of nature, in his surroundings, 
and get his education from some other man in his 
or worse condition, just so long will the wisest 
trample under foot the weaker. 

If they would search all their short lives on earth 
and read all there ever was, or ever will be printed, 
still there would be an aching void to know what 
had happened. 

On this side those who have been here long 
enough to learn a few of nature's laws, by observing 
them for several years and not having to consult 
the papers, for the information are some better 
qualified to teach the fast dying world, these things. 

So we are going to reveal to you a few truths that 
will start the world to think along lines of light and 
reason. 

From whence comes the thoughts that you have? 
Are they not independent? If you think they 
are not, just stop them for a while and we will 
take a rest. They are not in control of the body 
at all; but they are subject to the best and stronger 
mind and will. So train your thoughts as you would 
your hand to write. And the way to train them 
is to consult your friends on the thought side for 



188 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

how you should train them for their best fitted use : 
and then there will be less groping in darkness 
through life on earth. 

Well we will close for tonight, — have the dark 
circle at eight to nine o'clock tonight, and we will 
try and give you the best we can from this side. 

We are glad to get the work started out even at 
this late date in the world's history. Good-Bye. 
This is from Aristotle of the olden times, and your 
control, Mr. Weese. 

In the morning at eight o'clock be ready to write 
again. This is all now. 



Message No. 3. 

May 12, 1916. 8 a. m. 

Good Morning to all. 

We are here to give you a little more of the 
spirit world's news. And we hope that we can 
hold the connection favorable for our purpose. 
We will say this morning that we are glad to have 
you both at our command, — and we hope to give 
you some more truth and wisdom in an unpre- 
judiced manner, as you men, we are glad to say, 
are searching for the real truth, and are opening 
up your minds to reason. And are looking to the 
right side of reason to be taught these things, 
and are not trying to twist the truths we give you 
from time to time, with what things you already 
think you know. 

For as long as a medium or anyone else closes 
their mind to anv further reason or instruction, 



TAMING MAN 189 

or is surprised at new thought; — then that hinders 
our work on this side, and as we have to do our 
work with or by such tools as is at our command, 
you see what a great thing it is for us to find an 
open mind for to reveal these things through. 
For when the most of people hear anything new, 
that their school teacher or the priest or pastor, 
had not mentioned about was soon going to happen, 
they say at once, this is against God's will. 

O, my! O, my! How terrible, — and yet on 
Sunday morning when called on to pray at church 
they seem to want to impress the world that they 
are seeking for truth with all the earnestness of 
Soloman, as they ask out very loud for more knowl- 
edge and wisdom. 

Please try and count up the things or events that 
have happened in the world's history of real worth 
to man. And please answer us over here, or else 
say manly and frankly, that this is truth and we 
do know. 

Our question is this: "Has the pope or the priest 
or any country preacher, given out these things?" 
We beg to tell you no. No, they never made 
mention that these things were going to happen, 
but instead have tried to hinder then from coming 
to the people, as the criticism of their pride is 
usually cutting to them, for they as teachers had not 
only failed to warn the people, but had in many 
cases, taught that such would be contrary to the 
living God. And yet they argue that they are 
caring for them each day and will not withold 
anything from them. 

We are truly astonished at the teaching of millions 
and millions of people. That they after seeing 



190 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

these things for generation and generation, — that 
they now have so many of the once so-called fanatical 
inventions which are all over the world in use and 
now can get the news all over the earth the same 
day they happen. 

Oh, how long will the people grope in darkness 
when even reading these things in the very light 
of truth. 

There are now almost enough established evi- 
dence among the people that we return, - have our 
worthy ones of earth, who are willing to be taught 
the things of worth, for the people of earth. And 
who are not afraid of losing a few of their old time 
associates, who still think that the earth is still 
as flat as their poor heads. 

As long as the people continue to hire this kind 
of reasoning teachers, there will not be much pro- 
gress of knowledge on the earth. For the man acting 
for his hire we are very sorry to say is more in- 
terested in the price of his hire, than he is in the 
people. It is so much easier to read than study. 

And the conditions of earth's society as it is at 
this date is making this the more true. 

The ways of time and advancement are con- 
tinually going on, — and as now days the people are 
contented to read of the happened events rather 
than to inquire of what is going to happen. And 
not studying the trend of events, they are then 
much surprised when the inevitable happens. 

So it is today, in all the countries of earth. And 
the old time students who were free from the many 
diseases of the body and with sound mind and who 
made a study of these things in harmony with 
nature, that we on this side might guide them into 



TAMING MAN 191 

the true light of reason. And in this way it is that 
the world holds so sacred the history and statues of 
these men of sound reason and intelligence who 
were open to learn more of nature's divine law. 

So then is it any wonder that these men are 
counted on earth the reformers, — and as the be- 
ginners of literature that we are so sorry has not 
been equalled and so few are competent to read: 
even at this so-called advanced period of earth's 
history. 

"Search and You Shall Find." This truth is 
a motto for all. That this world would do well to 
frame and illuminate on every mountain and shore 
of this old time world. 

For if you don't Seek after knowledge, wealth or 
any other of the attainments trusted man, you 
will just so long fail to find them. 

And if you stand in the light of your reason in 
whatever way, it may be opened to you, just so 
long will you learn the truths due you. Reason it 
this way. If you had but one limb, — could you 
expect to win in a race? So in this awful race for 
life and maintanence, here on earth as it is now, the 
best and only true way is to accept the truth as we 
your guardians give it to you. 

For to some we can only reach them by others, — 
while some, we can give these things direct. The 
time is now at hand when no one need be walking 
in darkness. 

Take yourselves as the example for this truth, and 
you see that we can reveal these things to you in 
this way at present. But if you throw away the 
board, and don't try to get these things, then we 
could not give them to you till later. So improve 



192 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

your time as fast as you can; and at a convenient 
season we can also give you more, and in a better 
way. 

But had both said after your first seances, — 
"Oh, I heard something, but I seen no one and I 
hardly know what to think, although it did tell 
me some things that I know no one ever knew but 
the friend who claimed they was doing the talking. 
But it is so strange to me, it is too deep for my 
mind." If you had made this common remark 
and had not gone after the then mysterious things, 
— there would never be this thing of your talking 
and writing that you are now doing, have been done. 

You see it is only through man that we can work 
that he can understand us. Suppose the teacher 
that taught you to spell in print, the first words 
that you ever learned, had taken the print and 
whipped you for not being able to read the script 
you would have thought that unfair, — and perhaps 
left the school never to return. But by learning 
to read the writing it soon became as easy as the 
print. So in this work you must begin where you 
can understand, and then as you do, we are ever 
willing to give the knowledge to you as fast as we 
can. And it is our greatest pleasure to give it to 
you. But we have much to mind, we don't want 
to hinder you or whip you because you can't un- 
derstand the script of this work. 

And, or rather that we keep you interested, we 
will not offend you at any time, — even though you 
could never learn so much, because of something, 
you did not see the way to do. 

So it was in your cases, you was living at what 
you were doing, but were not learning, much of 



TAMING MAN 193 

value to yourselves or the world. And when we 
told you to make changes in your life and living 
you at once did as we ask you to. 

And now as you are only beginning to see the 
work is starting out, — and the world will soon begin 
to look up the family history to see who you are, — 
and to wonder where you came from. 

It is then they will say, "What college are they 
graduates from ? As they seem to even know man, 
and all law both civil and moral." And the people 
will be surprised at this, and will say "how can it 
be, they have no record of these things." This 
is the answer and shall forever solve the question 
in their minds. 

YOU ASKED AND RECEIVED. YOU 
SEARCHED AND FOUND. This is the only 
way that the mind can grow, or gain a true know- 
ledge of the truth — and all about is sufficient 
knowledge for all the things as you try to find it 
out and put yourselves in the way to receive it. 
Now as there are some things for you to attend to 
essential to the body, as well as the work, we will 
close for the present, — and tonight at eight to nine 
o'clock, hold your circle as usual and please make 
the room as dark as you can, as we want to go on 
as fast with the work as possible. 

Good-Bye. From the same. 



Message Received. 

June 5th, p. m. 

Well Gentlemen, 'you have had this night, the 
honor to receive a message from one of the most 



194 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

high spheres for human immortality to reach. 
And from here in this sphere is the heavens searched 
and the buds of the ever living flowers of knowledge 
looked into: and here in these spheres is the never 
changing and forever unwritten laws of the foun- 
dations of life and truth and wisdom: in such a 
degree of might and power is this, that those even 
in the middle spheres can not comprehend the mag- 
nitude — of the greatest of the greatest of powers. 

And we can never expect to reveal to living 
'mortals the great and the greatest of this wondrous 
of all knowledge and source of life and powers that 
control the universe. 

So as we can only give you a few things to think 
on at this time — it is this we want to impress on 
your minds: that you are now getting a few of the 
wonderful things that has been promised to you, 
and this is not yet a beginning. 

But as you get stronger, we can get more truth 
into the world — by you as you can now see, by this 
message just received, from one who has for cen- 
turies been exploring these mighty of mightiest 
truths and powers of all wisdom: and who has been 
prayed to millions and millions of millions of times. 

But the prayers could not be delivered as they 
were not in accord with the laws of the friends on 
this side. And while great will be the awful shock 
to those of earth, who follow their other ancestors 
on into this life and not find Jesus The Christ. 
For he was on and on so far from them, in his natural 
work and search of knowledge that it will take them 
ages — to again undo the learning and training of 
the flesh. 

And to reach spheres to him, where he is so familiar 



TAMING MAN 195 

with all about him, they will have to learn and 
learn — to get this knowledge of wisdom, that those 
in these spheres have only begun to learn about. 
So there is no end to the gulf or diameter of wisdom : 
all is upward, onward throughout eternities of 
eternities. 

So you men can rejoice with a great rejoicing — 
that you have been the chosen among the millions 
of earth's peoples, to get in touch with the masters 
of knowledge — far in excess, of what you can com- 
prehend or understand. Go on and on asking and 
searching and you will be abundantly blessed, 
above that you may understand what blessings 
of blessings means. Amen and Amen. 

Oh! that the peoples of earth could understand 
these mysteries of mysteries as we over here — 
thousands and thousands of years, have been 
seeking for — and to come back to this earth of 
soot and slime and the poluted waters — it is to us 
so great a change that we can't describe it to you, 
here on its sides of great revolving powers. But it 
is that we want to see the races of men — in all 
her lands brought to the knowldege of the truth of 
wisdom power and strength. 

You now have the jist of what we want to teach 
you and you must ask and search till we can find 
time and language to express it to you, that you 
may understand: as the conditions are now lost on 
account of your young powers, we will leave you 
tonight and at a convienent season we will call 
again. 

Now we will explain this message: your Grand- 
father McQuain and your son Ray, had arraigned 
to have Plato — of olden times to give you this. 



196 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

And was it so he could fully express his sentiments 
and knowledge — you would then be astounded and 
astonished at the many, many explanations he 
might give you: this great man is of a Holy and 
Most Righteous Sphere: and to control you in this 
way to write messages from these highest spheres 
is alnost to much to put a medium in your stage 
of developement and knowledge of these things. 
But we want to teach you the might of high power 
#nd knowledge that is at your command, through 
our efforts to bring these masters to you. Now 
may this and all messages, you have received be 
blessed to your knowledge and the powers of the 
most high, be on you both, now and forever — 
Amen and Amen. 

June 10th, 1916. 

Well Good Morning to you Brother Rob, — we 
are here to again tell you a few more things that is 
of interest to the work and world. 

And now if we can control the medium for our 
purpose — we will give you this information as speed- 
ily as possible: so that you can attend to the many 
things that you have been instructed to do today. 
And as you are ever ready to do what you are told 
by us on this side, we wish to praise the Omnipotent 
God of all things present and past and all things 
to come — that we have found in the world those 
who are eager to do for the fast dying people — the 
things that have so long been left undone. 

And now we the dwellers of the kingdom that you 
speak of as HEAVEN — are more and more rejoicing 
that it is possible to find among men those who will 



TAMING MAN 197 

sacrifice — time, money and earthly association with 
loved earthly friends and thus get in position so 
that we can reveal these truths of knolwedge to 
the fast moving world — as it revolves in the great 
realm of space and on and on it goes — never tiring, 
never resting and can never stop. 

So is life, it cannot stop: even the shortest part 
of time that man could ever measure — so as it has 
been going on this way from all time back; and 
will go on this way throughout eternities of eternities ; 
how great a thought to all living mortals on earth. 

Oh! How Great A Thought, that can neither 
commence at the beginning or think to its end; 
this one truth you will not deny, our dear dying 
people in the flesh — we can see you on this great 
dark old care-worn earth going on and on, in the 
great struggle to keep alive, for so short a time; 
and what a struggle it is, all must make this struggle 
whether rich or poor great or small — it is the one 
law that no man can change. 

So now dear loved ones of earth, let us come to 
the sense of our duty and think for a little while 
in the light of just these few truths and let us see 
who you are any way: Now who, or where did you 
start from? Don't try to answer this, for it is as 
yet clear to no one: Who was doing your part 
in life before you took up your burden to carry; 
you might say, there was no one needed to do them, 
this is true; you have at your starting of your jour- 
ney of life took up the responsibilities of no one; 
the responsibility closes in life's duties — when you 
see a man put in the cold and cruel graves of earth — 
that is the last responsibility to earth friends left 
here, as far as the duties of his or her physical life 



198 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

is concerned; and no law, no court, no justice or 
no plans yet devised by mortal man — can change 
this one unwritten law. No dear ones you can't 
change this and you never will ; all things come their 
way and go their way, as was arraigned by the 
allwise wisdom that shaped the great plan of the 
universe. 

And another point we wish to mention here is 
this : let us have the distance please — of the universe ; 
now dear ones please make your figures very, very 
plain; as most of the folks on earth think we can't 
see well anyway; so let us have them as plainly as 
possible — dear loved ones, and in order to grant us 
this one request dear friends — all earth and all 
languages, can't set them down in a single row — 
as you folks set down figures in one century. 

No, No, Dear ones you can't set figures to make 
plain this one little question, so we will not wait 
for them. 

But let us see who you are now — and about how 
tall and great are you in this small unmeasured 
universe. Well, Well, Well, — it is a big man indeed 
that can't be found. 

Now dear ones you see that you do well to even 
know for a certainty — that you are really here — 
and you hardly are you stop so short a time — we 
will compare your life to a fly on a wedding dinner 
table — you see it on the cake another on the jam 
and one on your plate ; you shew your hand and they 
all buzz away in the air, and you will have to look 
real close to tell the difference in the one on the cake 
or jam to see which it was that was on the plate. 

So it is in your short journey here my dear dying 
pitiful and weak creatures that you call the children 



TAMING MAN 199 

of this man that made you and Oh! when did You 
ever look like this man that made all these things; 
We over here will call it a real circus day and all 
come to the parade, Dear friend if you will first 
paint this picture and then paint you the son in 
his arms; you see this will be better suited to the 
common art — when you take into consideration 
that he — we mean the first picture is in control of 
this grand and the greatest of all universe. So 
you see by being in his arms makes it so much 
more real like life — as you would hardly be old 
enough to walk, in the comparison. So now dear 
ones of earth, please, Oh! please do not think you 
look like God. No, No, No, you are not quite so 
pretty and you dear dying people hear us in these 
awful warnings, that you are nothing of nothing. 
So who are you then — we will wait a little on the 
answer — as we have plenty of time now. Waiting, 
Oh! well you can decide this at your leisure some 
rainy evening — you may be feeling a little blue 
anyway. 

We want to add one more thought to this; and 
dear friends it is this you be very, very careful 
from this time on in life to take care, what you say 
to these little children of men, mothers nature's 
suckling babes. 

They are getting in touch with Moses of old and 
Matheuselah older than he was. And if these 
grandest and noblest men that the earth has ever 
known of — when they blew their noses in life, the 
dust of which when dry has strangled the whole 
world with this awful coughing spell of death, 
destruction — fire and hell on earth. 

If you have been so attentive all the time to put 
up with such a fight to prove their great intelligence 



200 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

— now we ask you for to excuse their earthly mis- 
takes and learn from them now when they have had 
a few experiences — such as death and time for 
consideration on these things, and so on and so on, 
on, and on, and on. Well dear friends we will 
stop saying on — but it goes right on. But you 
must remember that to give you these few thoughts 
it takes the life and mind of a man among you to 
do it; and now dear ones we ask that you take a 
good square look at these boys and see if you can 
tell where they got this message. And if you 
answer this you are just the kind of men and women 
we have been waiting for to do more of it; as you 
certainly can see it is needed all about you. If 
you have not noticed it yet, we wish to call your 
attention to a few things; you can look it up at 
once — first, how many are starving in the world — 
yet you have no famine; and look how many of the 
dear sons and daughters, that are pale, sick and 
languid — with the commonest diseases to the lowest 
type of humanity. 

Look at the photo of the great and terrible battles 
and the floating bodies on the great waters that 
cover the earth ; then look at the many fine and grand 
churches, temples and the cathedrals in the world — 
if you dicide that it is all O. K. and that the world 
will soon be half gone in the millennium — why we 
will not wear out a few of our dear ones on earth 
to give you these warnings. 

So this is all that we can say at this time on ac- 
count of the physical condition of the ones we have 
chosen to reveal a few truths in the light of reason. 
So will say, Good-Bye. From one who has had 
both the earth and Heavenly experience. 

James Morris, God Bless You Both. 



THE ANNOUNCEMENT. 

Robert G. Ingersoll was classed as an infidel and 
a dangerous man by the church people. They 
assigned this great man to the hottest corner in 
hell. They overlooked all of his good qualities, 
turned a deaf ear to reason, joined hands with the 
bible propagators, and denounced him a fool. 

Why? Because of his superior mind he soared 
above the little things, and refused to accept the 
views of the ordinary minds, he was brave, cultured, 
polite, reasonable, and his great soul went out to 
sympathize with the people in their misdirected 
views, confusion and misunderstanding. 

This great man says to me, "I was in error or had 
no way of knowing what awaited us beyond the 
grave, but I am not in hell, and have been perfectly 
satisfied with my lot on this side. MY GOD HAS 
BEEN GOOD TO ME." The church people don't 
like this. But the rationalist will. The church 
people founded their reason on Jewish history, 
accepted it with all of its confusion and error, as 
a holy book. THIS IS WHY: And this is why 
they think men who reject the Christian belief 
will be lost, and those who do believe the bible to 
be the word of God, and follow the bible doctrine 
will be saved. And this is why they believe the 
men who learn to do things independent of the 
church faith, is off; as they put it. I know of a 
preacher in this city who preaches that all of the 
prayers of all of the Christian people combined 
could not reverse the course of the Ohio River, 
nor prevent a flood from sweeping over the streets, 
of the cities in the lower valleys. And this is why 



202 AWFUL THOUGHTS OR 

the other preachers say he is off. I wonder how 
long he can hold this job. 

I am now flinging in the face of the people — in- 
formation that will cause great excitement among 
the church people, but not much among the free 
thinkers. If there was a greater interest and a 
hungering for scientific knowledge and less super- 
stition, I would nothave held back for a few months, 
this the most interesting and most needed infor- 
rnation that the world has ever heard.- 

In my book Awful Facts, Or Taming Man, I 
lead the reader to this, hoping to prepare him for 
the shock. And because of the above announce- 
ment, I think best to hold back the information 
and give it to the world's press, about the time the 
book is ready for distribution. The world is not 
ready for the shock. And it will cry loud and fierce, 
fool, insane, as it has always done. 

IGNORING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 
A HUNDRED INSANE IN THE ASYLUMS 
TODAY FROM READING AND WRESTLING 
WITH THE PROBLEMS OF THE BIBLE, 
TO ONE FROM THE STUDY OF THE PSY- 
CHOLOGY OF SCIENCE. 

Closed: The Author. 

Not the end of taming man. I have discovered 
that the majority of the world, have grasped my 
hand and is fighting for the cause that I advocate. 
And when superstition chokes the voice and the 
avenues that puts me in communication with the 
Lincolns, and Washington, Arastotle, McKinleys, the 
Shakespeares, and the hosts of great and good men 
who have passed to the realms of higher knowledge, 



TAMING MAN 203 

and laid my earthly body in the tomb, will I give 
up the fight, to break the shackles, that swivels 
the mind and soul, and keeps the human family 
in darkness, and associates the higher intelligence 
with demons and devils. 

Ray Morris is an active spirit, on the other side 
of life. His wonderful medium powers, gives 
him access to all the higher spheres. Through his 
powers he can travel alone and read the minds of 
the people in every nook and corner of earth. 

His spheres is where ever business calls him. His 
bed is where ever natures repose kisses the soul. 
Those in the celestial spheres, can not visit earth, 
only when accompained by a spirit friend with 
strong medium power. He promised to lay the 
foundation, and give to me the keys that would un- 
lock the storehouse of knowledge, that would reveal 
the secrets, that mankind so badly needs. 

The curtain that has abstructed mans view from 
natures paradise, is being removed. The germ of 
superstition, injected its poison — it has bred con- 
fusion, misunderstanding, disease and death every- 
where. The black clouds are clearing away. 

He is the General Superintendent and the Presi- 
dent. Through this venturesome lad, the world will 
soon hear, from the Apostals, Mary, Mary Magdelin, 
Martha, Joseph the husband and father. Pauls 
proposition is quite interesting: so isi — s, well the 
manuscript is complete. Without question: it 
contains the most interesting information that the 
world has ever had. 

Are you ready?, ?, ?,. To busy with war news 
and fiction. It all comes through RAY. Thats the 
secret. 

R. MORRIS 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 
111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 



